Monday, August 31, 2009

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George Fenwick: Green Forest Works for Appalachia: A Win-Win-Win for Jobs, Forests, and Birds Top
In a June 2009 entry to the Huffington Post , Jeff Biggers listed ten reasons why President Obama, CEQ chief Nancy Sutley, and EPA head Lisa Jackson must visit Appalachia and launch a war for green jobs. If this Administration truly wants to win the hearts and minds of the region's residents, environmentalists, and green economists in Appalachia, they would do well to take a close look at a proposal called Green Forest Works for Appalachia. The Appalachian region is a land of contrasts, abounding with natural resources, yet troubled by poverty and slow economic growth. Appalachian forests support some of the highest biological diversity in the world's temperate region, including a rich variety of migratory songbirds, but extraction of the area's abundant coal reserves has dramatically altered the landscape. With the Green Forest Works for Appalachia program, the Obama Administration now has an opportunity to address economic, environmental, and ecological challenges simultaneously. Since passage of the Surface Mine Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) of 1977, more than 1.2 million acres of Appalachian forest have been impacted by surface mining. Where mature native forest once stood, compacted soils and mostly non-native, aggressive grasses and shrubs now remain, left behind by coal operators in fulfillment of reclamation requirements. Reclamation of mined lands since 1977 has improved soil stability, but the impacts to Appalachia's diverse forests and species of wildlife that depend on intact forests have been dramatic. Thanks to the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative (ARRI), a cooperative effort among state, federal, and non-profit entities and universities of the Appalachian region, the bold and innovative Green Forest Works for Appalachia program is being put forward to employ thousands of local residents of rural coalfield communities in re-establishing high quality, diverse forests on these formerly mined lands. A Lasting Economic Return Despite its wealth of natural resources, Appalachia has offered its residents little in the way of economic opportunity. Unemployment now averages 9.4% for the eight main coal states in Appalachia (Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 2009, www.bls.gov/web/laumstrk.htm). Coal mining and the forest products industry provide some of the few opportunities for rural employment in the region, but historically, both have come at a high cost to the environment. Accounts of Appalachia's near-complete removal of its expansive forests in the late 1800s and early 1900s are well-documented. However, the forest products industry has made tremendous strides towards economic and environmental sustainability in recent decades, allowing it to remain a viable enterprise in rural Appalachia for years to come. In contrast, recent analyses have shown coal jobs to be waning as a result of falling coal prices and increased mechanization. Ultimately, this non-renewable resource will become too costly to extract, process, and "clean" to remain profitable, and what job opportunities exist today will dwindle further. Mining continues to contribute to the deterioration of watersheds and water quality, disfigurement of the landscape, and loss of potentially productive and diverse hardwood forests. Since enforcement of SMCRA began in 1978, until recently (when new forest reclamation techniques emerged from ARRI), nearly all existing reclaimed lands have severely compacted soils, making them incapable of growing diverse forests without intervention-- possibly for centuries. Remediation of the compacted soils through reforestation to combat aggressive vegetation on these formerly mined lands is the focus of Green Forest Works. The Green Forest Works proposal would employ more than 2,000 local residents to plant more than 125 million trees on approximately 175,000 acres of formerly mined lands by 2014. Beyond the creation of those initial jobs, this initiative would provide a renewable, sustainable, multi-use resource that will create long-term economic opportunities while enhancing the local and global environment through the restoration of diverse hardwood forests. A Significant Environmental Benefit Appalachian forests provide ecosystem services of tangible value to local communities, the nation, and the world. For example, forested landscapes create natural buffers to watersheds that are significant in both maintaining clean water supplies to Appalachian communities fed by their headwater streams, and in regulating river flows to prevent the extremes of both flooding and the drying up of river beds. The Appalachian forests are also a major source of carbon sequestration in the battle against global warming, and home to globally significant numbers of declining, rare, threatened, and endangered fish, mussels, salamanders, mammals, and birds. Many of these species, such as the Cerulean Warbler, require large expanses of forest to thrive. The rehabilitation of formerly mined lands through the Green Forest Works proposal would address environmental issues such as watershed protection, forest fragmentation, and carbon sequestration, while improving landscape aesthetics to enhance the capacity of communities in coal-mined areas to serve as tourist destinations, and to support tourism-related businesses and jobs. Additionally, ARRI's techniques for restoring formerly mined lands and reclaiming current and future mines are "transferable" globally; the species planted in Wyoming or Illinois, or even China or Australia would change, but the techniques would essentially be the same. This program can serve as a global example, with potentially staggering environmental benefits. What's Good for Birds is Good for Appalachia American Bird Conservancy applauds the Green Forest Works proposal for its abundant potential benefits to our nation's birds, green jobs, and focus on communities in Appalachia. Restoration of native deciduous forest will provide declining songbirds such as the Cerulean Warbler (whose population has fallen by 70 percent in the last 40 years) with increased breeding, foraging, and migratory stopover habitat. Reforestation will also help reduce the impacts of the Brown-headed Cowbird, a nest parasite that has thrived in the wake of forest fragmentation caused by mining activities. Stable or increasing populations of native bird species will also help maintain overall health of the forest ecosystem: many species disperse seeds of native trees, others help control forest pests, and all are important components of a complex food web. Birds are sensitive indicators of general environmental health--they can serve as canaries in our coal mines long after those mines have been reclaimed. Bird declines across Appalachia reflect a broader environmental problem, and demonstrate the need to restore healthy forests and watersheds for the benefit of all of the region's biodiversity and its human residents. Birds also provide tremendous direct economic benefit to local communities. A recent study by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Birding in the United States: A Demographic and Economic Analysis), revealed that birds are a $36 billion dollar-per-year national industry, generating state tax revenue from the purchase of birding equipment, and boosting local economies through birding tourism. Appalachia's natural beauty and the watchable wildlife opportunities it affords will only be enhanced by the Green Forest Works proposal. Giving Back to Appalachia's Local Communities People have been in search of jobs, dignity, and a bountiful land along the spine of the Appalachian Mountains from colonial days to the present. The discussion of exactly where they can find those treasures has not been limited to the realm of social scientists, economists, and politicians. For decades, noted artists, musicians, poets, and writers have contributed creative thoughts, opinions, and ideas to the search. Harry Caudill, Wendell Berry, Silas House, and many other noted writers have framed their work as urgent appeals to the American conscience on behalf of the land and people of Appalachia. Erik Reece, author of "Lost Mountain: A Year in the Vanishing Wilderness", wrote an Op-Ed for The New York Times on May 5, 2007, in which he said: "We need a New Deal for Appalachia that would expand the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative, or create a similar program, to finally return some of the region's lost wealth in the form of jobs and trees, rebuilt topsoil, and resuscitated communities." Waning job prospects in the mining industry, combined with tremendous interest in restoring Appalachia's majestic native forests, will allow this program to succeed. In five years, the Green Forest Works for Appalachia program will provide secure, good paying jobs for thousands of Appalachian citizens, and jump-start the reforestation process on approximately 15 percent of the formerly mined lands in the region. This is an opportunity for us to give something back to Appalachia! An army of outsiders has gone to Appalachia in the past to try to understand and solve the region's problems without much success. The Green Forest Works proposal can triumph because it was designed by smart Appalachians for their own region and their own people. It presents the Obama Administration with a wonderful opportunity to give the people of Appalachia a chance to address their environmental and economic problems in their own way in a win-win-win scenario for jobs, ecosystems, and birds.
 
Neil Zevnik: Go Nuts: The Incredible Edible Walnut Top
I must confess, I had rarely thought too much about the ubiquitous walnut, beyond observing it in the occasional trendy salad (and wishing it were pecans instead), or enjoying it in a chunk of honey-dripping baklava. And yes, the occasional silverware box made of walnut wood has caught my eye in an antique store, but I thought no more of it. Little did I know that the uses of the walnut have been innumerable and fascinating for millennia... Even an incomplete sampling of its uses is overwhelming. The wood has been used for fine furniture, yokes for oxen, shoes, gunstocks, and airplane propellers. The whole shells were employed as razors in Louis XI's French court; ground shells have been utilized as a filling for dental cavities, as a polish for metal, and as thermal insulation in rocket nose cones. The hulls produced hair dye and pen ink, and the ancient Egyptians used the oil in the embalming process of mummies. And of course the nut itself has appeared on gourmet menus through the ages, from Ancient Persia to Pompeii to Spago. And the medicinal applications were nothing short of encyclopedic. The nut, leaves, bark, wood, and roots were variously used to treat any and all skin ailments -- sores, gangrene, dandruff, hives, open wounds, lice - as well as internal problems, such as diarrhea, inflamed tonsils, and morning sickness. In Chinese medicine, the walnut is said to warm and hold Qi in the lungs and help kidneys to grasp the Qi. I have always been fascinated by the mediaeval notion that the visual characteristics of a particular foodstuff are a clue to its medicinal properties. Hence the persimmon, shaped like a heart, was believed to be beneficial for that organ; and the walnut, whose wrinkled shell resembles a brain, was thought to affect mental capabilities. And indeed current research has shown that notion to be remarkably accurate - the omega-3 fats in walnuts encourage brain-cell membranes to allow optimum absorption of necessary nutrients, thereby boosting 'brain-power'. But that is only the beginning of the enormous benefits to be derived from this least-exotic of nuts. Omega-3 fats have been shown to provide cardiovascular protection by reducing high cholesterol levels and arterial inflammation, as well as helping to prevent and control high blood pressure; and their anti-inflammatory properties assist in treating asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and eczema. See, those practitioners in the Middle Ages knew what they were doing! Other available nutrients include ellagic acid, which supports the immune system and provides antioxidant activity against free radicals, and l-arginine, which may mitigate the effects of hypertension. Research has also shown that walnuts help to reduce the risk of gallstones, provide bio-available melatonin to encourage better sleep, and promote bone health by reducing bone loss. So I think we can safely conclude that walnuts absolutely need to be a daily part of a healthy diet, and in point of fact the much-vaunted "Mediterranean Diet" traditionally includes generous helpings of this widely-available and inexpensive nut. GETTING AND USING THEM If you're buying walnuts still in the shell, choose ones that feel heavy, and are not cracked, stained, or pierced. You'll probably mostly be buying them already shelled, so a few pointers: if buying from bulk containers, make sure they smell fresh not rancid, that the bins are covered, and that the store seems to have fast turnover; if buying bagged, check the date stamp if available, and make sure the nuts don't appear shriveled or rubbery. Due to their high fat content, it's best to store the shelled nuts tightly sealed in the refrigerator, or even the freezer; that way they will last up to six months or so. Oh, and walnut oil is an excellent way to derive the desired health benefits - drizzle a little on salad greens with a squeeze of lemon, or on some sliced melon with prosciutto. Use it sparingly - it's intense! Sea Scallop & Shiitake Skewers w/ Walnut-Mint pesto Serve this simple but delicious grill item with organic brown rice and grilled zucchini for a perfect late-summer dinner! 1 1/2 lbs. large fresh sea scallops 6 large shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and halved 2 tablespoons good olive oil 4 wooden skewers, soaked in water Pesto: 1 cup fresh mint leaves 1 cup Italian parsley leaves 1/2 cup walnut pieces 1/3 cup safflower oil 1 teaspoon walnut oil 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon microplaned lemon zest (optional) Combine all pesto ingredients in food processor, pulse/process just until coarsely pureed. (Can be prepared in advance and refrigerated.) Heat grill to medium-high. Toss sea scallops and shiitakes with olive oil to lightly coat. Divide among four skewers. Grill for about 2-3 minutes per side, until scallops are barely cooked through and slightly opaque. Plate and top with a generous spoonful of pesto, serve the rest of the pesto on the side. Serves four. Red Fruit Compote w/ Toasted Black Walnuts An ideal coda to your sea scallop dinner... 2 cups watermelon, cut into 1-inch squares 2 cups strawberries, halved 1 cup raspberries 2 tablespoons organic wild honey 1 tablespoon cherry fruit syrup 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 1/4 cup toasted chopped black walnuts* Combine fruits in a large glass bowl. Toss gently with honey, lemon juice & fruit syrup. Sprinkle walnuts over the top and serve. Makes 5 cups. * to toast walnuts: heat in a dry skillet over medium-high heat, shaking constantly, for about 1 minute. Remove from pan and cool. A version of this post appears in my "Eat Smart" column in the September issue of Better Nutrition magazine. More on Food
 
William Bradley: Mad Men: "My Old Kentucky Home" -- HuffPost Review Top
Season 3's third episode, named for a stunning Roger Sterling musical interlude, is as much about tone as advancement of the plot. And a surprisingly musical tone at that. As always in these reviews, there be spoilers ahead. So if you've not yet seen the episode, you can't say you haven't been warned. "My Old Kentucky Home" is structured around four fronts. Three of them are parties, though only two are scheduled to be parties, and one is the inevitable Don and Betty Draper home front. Which was better than those who don't yearn for the domestic scenes might have expected. As for the plot, the biggest advances came for Peggy Olsen's storyline. Yes, she does want to smoke marijuana, and yes, it stimulates her creativity. Or perhaps her underlying workaholism is just so strong that she feels compelled to work to compensate for getting high. Yet I digress, for a moment. The rest of the episode focuses on tone, character, and establishing new threads and playing along established threads. And some ominous hints about the corporate disarray at Sterling Cooper. Back to that episode title. It is in fact the notorious old song, complete with lines about happy "darkies" in the cotton fields, sung by Roger Sterling -- in black face! -- at his "Derby Day" party at a Long Island country club. Roger's actually a good singer, which makes it all the more appalling because he is not playing it for laughs. It may be that Roger Sterling is not as cool as we'd like to think. Don Draper seems far less amused with his old pal than he used to be. As he and very pregnant Betty prepare for the party -- which serves as a sort of coming out party for his 21-year old ex-secretary Jane as Mrs. Roger Sterling, hostess with the mostest -- he's already grumbling about the party. And his mood is not improved with his father-in-law, whose mental faculties are failing him and who Don rather impulsively installed in their home, proceeds to make a federal case out of a missing $5 bill. Which Don naturally offers to replace, only to be immediately rebuffed. But we know where the fiver's disappeared to; into the guilty little paws of adorable little Sally Draper, who needs even more attention than getting to read "The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire" to Grandpa Gene. While this domestic drama wends its way forward, the Drapers make their way from Westchester County to Long Island for the big soiree. Meanwhile, two other parties are in the works. Because of a screw-up by new accounts co-chiefs Pete Campbell and Ken Cosgrove, the younger creative types have to work on the weekend to come up with a new campaign for Bacardi rum. Resentful, they proceed to get sloshed on the booze while trying out slogans on one another. Soon they're in search of more potent inebriation. In another part of Manhattan, the real hostess with the mostest, Joan Holloway, is putting on a small dinner party for her new doctor husband and two senior medical colleagues and their wives. She's a whiz, naturally, just as good at putting together a dinner party, and saving it, as she is at not so subtly running the office at Sterling Cooper. Which probably had Joan, Roger Sterling's longtime backdoor girl, recalling her earlier encounter with the new Mrs. Roger Sterling, at the top of the episode. Joan wasn't very nice to Jane, trying to fire her after a harmless prank, which is ironically what brought Jane together with Roger. So Jane, not surprisingly for someone 21 and foxy, rubs her new status in Joan's face. And all that was probably particularly galling to Joan as she realizes midway through her dinner party that her perfect doctor husband, who has a decidedly nasty side we don't see in this episode, screwed up an operation and may not make it to the top the way she'd imagined. Indeed, the mention of his medical mishap cast such a pall over the gathering, especially over the new hubster's face, that Joan is literally beseeched to save the party through her singing. And so we have another musical interlude, with Joan, accompanying herself on accordion (!), producing a fetching version of "C'est Magnifique." Somewhat less magnificently, completing the episode's musical trifecta, the unhappy weekend workers (imagine working on a Saturday!) back at Sterling Cooper show us that Paul Kinsey, in addition to being pompous, can actually sing. Which he first does on a dare from his old Princeton classmate-turned-drug dealer who turned up with the marijuana and decided to hang out, then in a glee club harmony with Mr. Pusher Man. To which Peggy says the only appropriate thing: "I'm so high!" Peggy has a rather motherly new secretary, having dumped the one we saw in the season opener. She had the bad habit of paying much more attention to the attentions of "Moneypenny," the assistant to the agency's new British overseer, than to her own boss. We don't see the Brits at all in this episode, incidentally, including at the big Roger Sterling party. Which doesn't seem like a good omen for corporate relations. Peggy's new secretary is worried about her young superior's smoking marijuana and all, which she finds quite scandalizing. But Peggy reassures that she's going to be fine in the agency, which means that they'll both be fine, and that this young proto-feminist is going to fly. And while you're at it, get me a glass of water and set up the dictaphone, because there's some advertising to be conceived. While that takes care of all the musical interludes, I haven't mentioned the dance number yet. Yes, this was the variety show episode of Mad Men . Don Draper is really not thrilled with the Roger Sterling party, especially after Roger's little vocal performance. He wants to leave, but Betty wants to stay. Among other things, there's lots of really good food, and she's thankfully stopped trying to diet her way through her pregnancy. Pete Campbell's wife Trudy, who is actually charming, is doing the best of any of the wives at helping promote their husbands, and befriends Betty, who accompanies her to the ladies room. With Trudy stuck inside in a typical line, Betty has a very intriguing encounter with a suave political type who introduces himself only by his first name and proceeds, with Betty's rapt acquiescence, to feel up her very pregnant belly. Later we find, through his introduction by Bert Cooper, that he's a top aide to not long divorced New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller, who has that day scandalized the political world by marrying the just-divorced ex-wife of one of Rockefeller's close friends. Cooper's upset, as that means the Republicans will likely be stuck with Barry Goldwater running against President Kennedy in 1964. Why'd Rockefeller do it? "Love," explains the Rockefeller aide, making discreet eyes with Betty Draper. Earlier, Don Draper has a now familiar character moment, when he encounters a fellow sympathizer to his view that the place is filled with stiffs, an older fellow from the Southwest who I'd bet is actually the richest guy on the grounds. He says he's a registered Republican, like most of the folks there, but he really feels like he wears the head of a jackass. Which is to say, a Democrat. He also does a "Great Gatsby" riff about being entranced by the lights of the elegant parties as a kid and then finding out it's not nearly so nice inside. Don, who has the amusing habit of opening up to strangers who, naturally, don't know who he is, recounts his teenage story of working at a roadhouse where he wasn't allowed to use the facilities, leading him to piss into the trunks of "the fancy people's" cars. Don Draper, meet Dick Whitman. Roger Sterling, who is not a stiff, urges people to dance, though not, notably, his own very young and not quite steady wife, who's beginning to unfurl her sheets to the wind. Then, in a moment almost as disconcerting as Sterling's black face rendition of "My Old Kentucky Home," Trudy and Pete Campbell cut the rug with a dance contest-worthy version of ... the Charleston! Speaking of time warps, the show did a good job of getting viewers -- especially those who recall his mistaking daughter Betty for his late wife -- to think that something bad is going to happen between little Sally Draper and Grandpa Gene in this episode. His dissatisfaction over the loss of his $5 bill does not abate during the episode. Now, the actor who plays Betty's father, Ryan Cutrone, played the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on 24 , so he can do intimidating. With the tension mounting, young Sally, guilty and scared, tosses the purloined fiver onto the kitchen floor as dinner is about to begin. And then "discovers" it. Grandpa Gene's mind may have some major gear slips at times, but he's no dummy. Nevertheless, the tension builds during dinner as you wonder if he will lash out at the child. After, as she says a half-hearted good night, he grumps as he orders her into his room. But he hands her the big history book and asks her to pick up again where they left off. All is well. All is decidedly not well at the tail end of the Sterling soiree. The very young Mrs. Sterling, drinking her way through the day to cover her nervousness, has forgotten to eat. With Don and Betty on hand, she gets a plate of food for herself, but drops it and then falls. She babbles about how beautiful Betty is and how Don must love to just look at her and she knew when she was Don's secretary they'd get back together, punching the insecure Betty's departure button. And since improving matters is clearly not on the agenda, Jane tells Don she's a nice person and wonders why he doesn't like her, all the while grabbing at him in her effort to stand up straight. Cue Roger Sterling, who wonders what on earth is going on. "Your wife is drunk," Don says quite coldly to his old friend, who wonders what he did to get under Don's skin. Oh, let's review. You used Don's line out of context as an excuse to your wife of 25 years why you had to divorce her and marry Don's 21-year old secretary, which caused the sale of Sterling Cooper (in order to pay for your divorce) to a big British firm which is screwing up the business and Don's professional life. Are we missing anything? Wounded, Roger tells Don that people can't handle his "conspicuous happiness." In a wounding place, his simmering pissed-off mood breaking through, Don tells Roger that "People don't think you're happy, they think you're foolish." Yet there Roger and Jane are at the end, poignantly shuffle dancing without music, looking much more happy than not. Which leads Don to seek out Betty at the end of the lawn in the dark, embracing her as passionately as we've seen in a long time. A most romantic ending for an episode of Mad Men . That means it's probably not a good omen. Next week, hopefully, on Mad Men : No singing, no flapper dancing. You can check things during the day on my site, New West Notes ... www.newwestnotes.com.
 
Jenni Schaefer: It's Okay to be Happy (Some Thoughts and a Song!) Top
It's okay to be happy. It took me a long time to learn this lesson, and it was a hard one to fully grasp. Like many people I know who have suffered with depression, I once believed that I was destined to be sad for life. Sometimes it seemed like everyone around me was happy while I was always stuck in misery. Misery is a progressive illness for me. The more I think about being miserable and worrying that I will never be happy, the more miserable I become. I used to make myself miserable in this way a lot. Don't get me wrong. Mental illnesses like bipolar disorder and depression that can cause misery in people's lives are real. Thanks to Marya Hornbacher and her powerful book, Madness , I have a deeper understanding of bipolar disorder than ever before. People battling this illness cannot "just snap out of it" any more than I could "just smile" when I struggled with depression. I never chose to struggle with depression, but I did choose to get better. Then I chose to let the constant fear of the depression returning send me into needless tailspins. I walked around with a constant sense of impending doom. For example, on days I woke up feeling especially happy, I would repeat the following affirmation to myself over and over again: I feel happy today. It must be a fluke. I am sure the depression is returning. On days I woke up feeling a little blue, instead of realizing that normal people sometimes feel sad, I would repeat this: I feel sad today. I am sure the depression is returning. My negative affirmations only led to more negative thinking and inevitably to misery. For those of you who do not believe that affirmations work, try incorporating the ones listed above into your life for a while. I am being sarcastic here. (Don't do it!) Those thoughts only proved to zap any and all joy from my life. Years ago, a doctor actually helped me to realize that I was sabotaging myself. So I became aware of the self-sabotaging voice inside of my head. When I found myself repeating those same negative affirmations, it helped for me to separate from those thoughts and to go inside of myself --- to connect with my heart. My heart will not sabotage my happiness. I have learned that I have a choice in whether or not I choose to put energy into negative, futuristic thinking. My new, positive affirmation is: It's okay to be happy. It's even okay for me --- someone with a history of depression --- to be happy. I am happy. Check out the song, "It's Okay to be Happy," (written by myself, Dave Berg , and Georgia Middleman ) from my new book Goodbye Ed, Hello Me at www.myspace.com/jennischaefer!
 
International Rescue Committee: Refugees lose Three Inspiring Champions Top
by Anne C. Richard (This post originally appeared on The Huffington Post on August 27th, 2009). Over the past year, three Americans who served as leaders of humanitarian causes have succumbed to cancer. They shared an outspoken passion for the cause of aiding refugees and other victims of oppression, war and poverty, but they also shared something rarer: the ability to translate concern into action. The Statesman and Legislator: Senator Edward Kennedy's interest in refugee issues dates from the 1970s, and I can personally attest to that. Nearly 30 years ago, as a student at Georgetown University in Washington, I walked to the State Department to hear him speak about Vietnamese refugees. I found the Senator's remarks and the energy he brought to the issue remarkable. He became the author and driving force behind the Refugee Act of 1980, which moved the country from an ad-hoc program to bring refugees to the U.S. to a formal partnership between government and private organizations with annual goals for refugee admissions. His Senate office regularly produced staff members who would become foreign policy leaders in their own right. A year ago, I finally got the chance to meet Senator Kennedy in person. In a small room off the Senate chamber, the Senator met with a group from the International Rescue Committee, led by his sister, Jean Kennedy Smith. He had squeezed the meeting in between giving an interview to a Boston reporter, receiving a delegation of Irish officials, and votes on the Senate floor. He interrupted our rehearsed points on the Iraqi refugee crisis -- he already knew all about it -- and refocused the conversation on what should be done next. He had already overseen the passage of legislation that gave sanctuary in the United States to Iraqis whose lives were threatened because they had helped Americans. Now, he pledged both staff resources and his personal energies to continue to help refugees in need. The Spokesman: Kenneth Bacon had been a long time Wall Street Journal reporter before accepting the post of chief spokesman at the Defense Department in 1994. In that role, he became known to a wider public as the unflappable bow-tie-wearing man behind the podium at the Pentagon, explaining U.S. involvement in wars in Bosnia and Kosovo. But it was in his third career -- as the president of Refugees International, a group that reports on humanitarian crises and advocates on behalf of refugees -- that Ken may have rendered his greatest service. He spoke out on behalf of the vulnerable, displaced and dispossessed all over the world, and put in many hours traveling to Sudan, Iraq, Cambodia and the Thailand-Burma border. While his colleagues at Refugees International may have written the essential reports analyzing crises, Ken was the one who translated their recommendations into plain English and got them published in newspaper op-ed pages and on television, radio, and the internet. He was a genius at finding ways to get often neglected stories covered by the media. He did all this with a clear voice that was always rational and never shrill, using the same reasonable, informed tone whether talking to refugees in camps, policy wonks in Washington or world leaders at conference tables. The Advocate: Julia Taft died a year ago, in August 2008. She was born Julia Vadala, the daughter of an army doctor and his wife, and married into the famous Taft family of Ohio. She and her husband, Will, moved comfortably in Washington foreign policy circles and took turns serving in government while raising a family. Julia Taft directed the Interagency Task Force on Indochina Refugees for President Ford, led the government's response to foreign disasters in the Reagan Administration and served as an assistant secretary covering refugee policy in the Clinton Administration. In between these tours in the government, Taft led Interaction, the coalition of relief and development aid agencies, and spearheaded reforms at the UN. I worked alongside her in the Clinton Administration and afterwards and learned a great deal about the importance of speaking out. I adored her fearless approach to seemingly intractable problems and her ability to convince decision-makers (often all men) to cooperate. In times of crisis, whether in Southeast Asia, the Horn of Africa, or the Balkans, Julia became the hub through which information flowed, decisions got made and government assets, from food to military cargo planes, moved. She was approachable and could always be found outside after a meeting taking a cigarette break and ready to mentor younger staff. She would be up to speed on emerging crises and several steps ahead of the rest of us. Her greatest talent may have been spurring the reluctant to take action. In the last weeks of her life, she was working the phones from her sickbed challenging us to do more. With the passing of these three heroes, the community of activists, aid workers and donors who care about refugees and relief work has been diminished. In reflecting on their lives we see that they had several things in common: a passion for and mastery of the issues; a strong desire to help the most vulnerable; the ability to work in a bipartisan fashion and inspire platoons of younger colleagues; and voices that could make themselves heard. Their examples challenge all of us to do what we can to carry on their important work. Anne C. Richard is a Vice President at the International Rescue Committee, www.theIRC.org.
 
Jerry Capeci: Top Sportswriter's Wife Unsung Hero in Mafia Cops Case Top
Before their downfalls, Mafia Cops Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa had to be on the lookout for all kinds of threats: Prosecutors, FBI agents, disgruntled mobsters, even fellow cops. But even in their worst nightmares, the rogue detectives never would have dreamed that they would be brought down by an upper middle class suburban housewife from Milford, Connecticut. Milford is a 90-minute ferry ride from Long Island's north shore, and an hour's drive from New York. To our knowledge, the rogue cops never did any work there -- for the mob or the NYPD. But the cozy bedroom community is the home of Susan Patrick, who proved to be one of the real unsung heroes behind the convictions of the so-called Mafia Cops. This is not meant to diminish the tireless work of so many law enforcement officials since 1994, when the FBI first learned the identities of the rogue ex-NYPD detectives. But after all is said and done, Eppolito and Caracappa might well still be living large across the street from each other in Las Vegas enjoying the spoils of their murderous ways, if not for the rage that drove Patrick when she and her family learned in 2002 that they had been betrayed by one of their closest friends. Patrick's role was so well-hidden that her name is never mentioned in any of the four books written about the historic prosecution of the two most despicable detectives ever to work for the NYPD. By all accounts, Susan Patrick is a mover and shaker who gets things done. She's 47, lives with her husband, son, and three daughters. A businesswoman, she sits on the city's Economic Development Commission, and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Milford Fine Arts Council. Patrick never met Eppolito or Caracappa, or even knew who they were during the 1980s and early 1990s while the killer cops were selling out their badges for $4000 a month and working for the mob. Back then, she was doing almost all of the heavy work in raising her four kids. Her husband, then-ESPN sports commentator Dan Patrick, was often away two-to-three weeks at a time as he worked his way up the ladder in the very competitive TV-sports business. Last month, as Dan Patrick returned to television after a two year absence following his departure from the all-sports cable network, the 52-year-old sportscaster stated for the first time that he left his envied spot as a co-host of "Sports Center" to spend more time with his family. "I made (the move) for the right reasons," he told the St. Louis Dispatch. "I told my wife I was just coming home. I missed out on 15 years with my children. They were born during my career at ESPN. My oldest is 17. I worked second shift for 15 years." But through those tough times, Susan recalled earlier this year, the Patricks counted on their close friend, Stephen Corso, who was also their accountant, to help them navigate the rough spots. "We celebrated his marriage, his first home, the birth of his children, baptism parties," said Susan Patrick. "He and his family were part of our milestones. We exchanged holiday gifts and cards. We would cook him lunch when he came to prepare our taxes. Having Steve handle the taxes made one thing a little easier, and we trusted him because he was our friend." That all changed in 2002, however when the Patricks thought that their friend - by then a big-time CPA "who didn't need our small account" -- wasn't taking full advantage of "potential tax savings" they had and retained a new accountant. Corso, they discovered, had stolen more than $800,000 from them. Although insurance coverage reimbursed the Patricks for the money that Corso stole, it didn't settle their feelings of betrayal. Corso admitted the thefts to her husband, and promised, even promising to pay them back if they didn't tell authorities. That's what Susan stated in Connecticut Federal Court in February, when Corso, who had pleaded guilty to stealing $6 million from clients, got a year and a day in prison. At the proceeding, prosecutors credited Susan Patrick with alerting them to the huge theft, and helping them investigate it, according to a transcript of the session. That task cost $46,000 in lawyer's fees, which the Patricks are slated to receive back from Corso at the rate of $4000 a month when he completes his term -- a total of about seven months -- at a low-security prison camp. But the monetary loss was not the worst part. It was the treachery of a close friend, Patrick said as she implored the sentencing judge to throw the book at Corso, despite his cooperation: "The emotional toll on my family is irreparable. We have trouble trusting anyone. My husband, ho Indeed, Dan Patrick, the hard-nosed radio-TV sports reporter who now writes a weekly column for Sports Illustrated, did not respond to repeated requests for comment from Gang Land . Susan Patrick told Gang Land that she and her family had put the entire matter behind them, and declined to comment.
 
Dave Johnson: Maybe We Really Do Want Government to Make the Decisions Top
This post was written for the Commonweal Institute Progressive Op-Ed Program . I am a Fellow with the Commonweal Institute . Do we really want government making decisions? I hear the same question repeated a number of different ways: "Do we really want government making decisions about our health care?" "Do we really want government deciding how banks should be run?" "Do we want government making decisions on whether drug companies can release new products?" "Do we want government telling businesses what they can and can't do?" The immediate, emotional reaction is, "Of course not!" But what happens when these questions are examined more closely? Health care reform is in the news so let's look at decision-making in health care first. Currently insurance companies make decisions about our health care - not government, not doctors, and certainly not us. They make these decisions based on whether a procedure or drug will be expensive. But "companies" don't make decisions, people do - not to maximize benefits to the patient but for their own financial gain. What about decision-making around how banks do business? Since the 1980s more and more banking rules have been relaxed at the behest of a few who stood to make fortunes. Credit card interest rates reached as high as 30%. Huge bets were made on credit default swaps, bad mortgages and other banking products. Deregulation led first to the "Savings and Loan Crisis" and then the recent financial crisis and resulting bailouts. The decisions in these companies were made by a few for personal gain at the expense of the stability of the entire economy. What about drug companies? There are complaints that the government "holds back" drug companies from releasing new products. But the recent deaths caused by Vioxx, Baycol and other drugs showed that the government was on the right track by requiring sufficient testing and reporting. The pressure to sell these and other unsafe drugs came from a few people who stood to gain fortunes. What about "burdensome" government regulation of business in general? We all remember what happened when regulations were lifted on companies like Enron. Employees lost their retirement savings. Investors were tricked out of millions. People and businesses were scammed into paying very high prices for electricity. Again, these problems happened because a few people stood to make fortunes so they got government to deregulate rules protecting the rest of us but that stood in their way. With these and other examples in mind, let's look at what the purpose of our government is supposed to be. According to our Constitution government is literally, "We, the People," banded together to "promote the general welfare" which means we watch out for and take care of each other. The Constitution's promise to "secure the blessings of liberty" means that we will enjoy the stability of the rule of law instead of being subjected to the whims of the rich and powerful. Before deciding whether or not government should make decisions let's look at the alternative. Not enough consideration is given to the real question: if We, the People don't make decisions, then who does? As we saw in the examples above, the "corporate" decisions that were made in the absence of government rules always favored a few wealthy people. Sometimes, as in the case of Enron, they even destroyed their own corporations while collecting large sums for themselves. History shows that in the absence of a strong government decisions will always be made by those with the most money and power. In today's society this means that people in the biggest corporations will be making the decisions, always for their own benefit and at the expense of the rest of us Unfortunate things always happen when the interests of a few people are placed ahead of the rules. In a functioning, democratic society, government is about establishing and enforcing rules that are set up to protect all of us on the basis of one-person-one-vote and not one-dollar-one-vote. Today's alternative to government decision-making is the biggest corporations making decisions instead. Royalty, dynasty, inheritance, corporatocracy, whatever you want to call it, there are always a few people who have gathered most of the wealth and power to themselves, and then set up systems designed to keep it that way. The United States government was designed to enable We, the People to make the decisions rather than just the wealthy and the powerful. So when you hear people ask if we really want government making the decisions, they are really asking if you want to have your own say over your own affairs, instead of some rich CEO. The answer should be "Heck, Yes! This article was produced as part of Commonweal Institute's Progressive Op-Ed Program
 
Ir Amim: VOICES FROM JERUSALEM: An Interview with Khader Dibs Top
Like many short trips in this region, the 15-minute car ride from the busy center of downtown West Jerusalem to the Shuafat Refugee Camp is a quick jaunt from the first world to the third. Coming from the "new Israeli neighborhood" of Pisgat Ze'ev just across the valley and on the Palestinian side of the Green Line, the passage to Shuafat RC is evident not only by the checkpoint and the unmistakable concrete wall dividing the two neighborhoods, but by the total aesthetic shift. The white stone apartment buildings of Israeli Jerusalem give way to a vista of modular cement units in shades of gray, stacked one atop the other like a 3-dimensional game of Tetris. Just three kilometers north of the Old City, Shuafat RC is where the sidewalk ends. The trash-riddled main street of the camp can hardly fit two cars through, and even walking down the street demands a level of concentration hard to achieve while trucks pass just centimeters from your arm. Shuafat RC wasn't always an urban landscape. The refugee camp was built by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in 1965-1966 to temporarily house 1,500 Palestinian refugees from throughout Israel who were being expelled from their places of refuge in the Old City by Jordanian forces. At the time, the camp was out in the boonies. Today, it bumps up against Jerusalem's 1967 municipal boundaries. Most of its 22,000 residents hold Jerusalem ID cards, which entitles them to reside in the city and receive government benefits, including health care. But only 11,000 residents are registered refugees. Construction of the separation barrier around Shuafat RC is not yet complete, but the entrance to Jerusalem has been controlled by a border police checkpoint since 2001. The effect, like that in other areas of Jerusalem, is to separate Palestinian Jerusalem residents from Jerusalem and sever the neighborhood from the urban fabric around it. Throughout Jerusalem, this ostensibly intended consequence of the barrier affects over 55,000 Palestinian residents--amounting to nearly one-quarter of the Palestinian population of the city. This exclusion drastically reduces residents' quality of life, separates them from their own city, and reorients them, by default, to the West Bank. From Israel's perspective, it improves the demographic balance. One afternoon in early June, I sat down with Khader Dibs, a public figure in Shuafat RC. Dibs is a middle-aged father who heads the camp's UNWRA-run sanitation services and leads the camp's Popular Committee Against the Wall, a group that filed--and lost--a legal case against the course of the wall. Dibs' office is a concrete cube that sits atop a sun-baked roof. From its front door, one could easily traverse the vista of densely packed rooftops across the 400 dunams of the camp without once touching ground. The first thing Dibs showed me when we sat down was an impressive portfolio of architectural engineering plans that aim for a total overhaul of the camp, complete with skyscrapers and a downtown skyline. The project is a joint initiative of Al-Quds University and a group of European engineers, and aims to turn Shuafat RC into a residential and commercial center easily accessible to Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem. It would require UNRWA approval and, it seems, immense foreign investment. Ilana Sichel: This seems like an unprecedented plan for a refugee camp. What's your vision for Shuafat? Khader Dibs: We want to make a change here. The camp is overcrowded, dirty, polluted. Sewage runs by my front door. People are building like crazy here, and it's very stressful. IS: What does your work in sanitation look like? KD: It's hard. Almost half of the people in this camp aren't even refugees, and UNRWA isn't supposed to provide for them all. IS: Why are non-refugees here? KD: They come for a couple reasons. First, we don't pay city taxes here, so people can live more cheaply. In addition to that, the rent is lower here than in other East Jerusalem neighborhoods. Thirdly, since the late 1990s, people who fear losing their Jerusalem ID cards have been coming to live here because if they have an address in the camp, they can hold onto their IDs and keep getting services. A fourth reason is that people who live in the West Bank but work in Jerusalem are losing access to the city because of the wall. Sometimes living here is the only way for them to survive and provide for their families. IS: What about you? Where are you and your family from? KD: My family is from Beit Naqif. You know it, right? Near Jerusalem. Now it's the moshav Beit Neqofa. My parents fled to Hebron in 1948, and then in 1952 moved to the Old City. That's where I was born, in 1965. Then, in 1966, the Jordanians started taking people by force out of the Old City. IS: And it was the Jordanians who built Shuafat Refugee Camp? KD: They gave permission to UNRWA to build it in 1964, then came and kicked out the refugees from the Old City. I was two years old. My parents didn't want to leave. Nobody did. But the Jordanians broke into the house and handed us a key. 'Here's a key,' they said. 'Now give us your key.' Give a key, take a key. And that's how we went from a not-good situation to a very bad situation. And in 1967, there was a war. A joke war. Israel gained control of this area and Jordan wanted to get it off its hands; neither cared who was in the middle. IS: What was it like growing up here? KD: It was a hard life. We didn't have bathrooms! Until 1974, all we had were public facilities in these little stations. [Shows me on a copy of UNRWA's original map of the camp.] Men and women, one next to the other. Drinking water was also public. There were just these five water points. They'd open them for two hours a day, and most days we got just a dribble. The kids would run straight from school to the water fountain, and we'd fill up the jerry cans every morning and every afternoon and bring them back to our families. The amazing thing is that people waited in line. We actually maintained lines. IS: And what did you feel was Israel's relationship to the camp? KD: After the war, [former Defense Minister] Moshe Dayan came to the camp. You know what he said? He was shocked. But what did he expect? Tidy houses and clean streets? But he didn't do anything about it. So in 1974, the people of Shuafat RC established a neighborhood committee for themselves. With money from the PLO and from individuals, they put down pipes and brought water into the houses. They built bathrooms. In 1975, they hooked up electricity to the houses. IS: Was your family involved in the neighborhood committee? KD: My father gave money to the committee but didn't work with it. I got involved later, in 1987. After the outbreak of the first intifada, the civic administration that provided water to refugee camps in the West Bank realized that Shuafat RC is within the boundaries of Jerusalem, so they cut off our water supply. Then they tried to collect the back bill. So we lived a month or two without water. We had to buy it in small tanks. UNRWA didn't really get involved. It's against their policy to file charges against states. They wanted us to organize and talk to the [Jerusalem] municipality. We tried, but the residents were thirsty and tired of waiting. So we went to the pipe they closed, and we opened it. And then there was water. IS: And you were part of it? KD: Well. [Glances behind his back and out the window as if looking for spies.] Yes. But two months later, the municipality came, dug, cut the tanks, and filled them with concrete. For a month we were stuck again without water. Without water! It's hard to live that way. UNRWA again wanted us to talk to the municipality, so they mediated. So we sat at the UN, us in one room, the municipality in the other. We told them we refuse to pay. We lost our homes four decades before and have been stuck in a refugee camp for twenty years. Whoever wants to pay, fine. But not us. The municipality didn't budge. So we did it again. Four or fives of us went out at night with equipment and lay down pipes. We hooked them up to the pipeline that passes through Anata--a huge one--8" in diameter. It was dangerous work. One of the plumbers lost his finger to the water pressure. That's what we went through to bring water to the people. IS: And no one was there? The police didn't look out for this? KD: The army is afraid to enter here. The police don't come. And we had people standing at the top keeping watch. So we built a network in one night, but then we saw that it wasn't enough. So we went back again. And that's how we have the water we have today. Basically, the municipality gave up, and the water flowed. But actually, seven years ago, when Olmert was mayor, the municipality came to change the pipelines and lay them elsewhere. They lay new pipes to Dahlat As-Salam and Anata [adjacent Palestinian neighborhoods] and changed them from six inches to two and four. We threatened to go to court--it's actually illegal to shut off the water--and the municipality and the water company backed down. So now the water pressure is less than 50% and sometimes it gets shut off. But the bottom line is that there is water. IS: What are the challenges facing children in Shuafat RC? KD: I have seven children with no place to run around. There are no playgrounds and no parks. There aren't enough schools. We have a new girls' school here and there are already 2000 kids in it. We solicited 4 million NIS from the Saudi government and we built the infrastructure. Every day 7,000 kids leave the camp to go to schools run by the municipality, the Waqf, and the Palestinian Authority. IS: And after some pushing, the municipality now provides transportation to those schools, right? KD: Yes, because they closed us in with the wall. So they took away the honey pot and threw us a piece of candy. IS: How does the wall affect your lives? KD: It affects every part of our lives. We are Jerusalemites. Two years ago, Olmert said the camp isn't part of Jerusalem. Newspaper reporters interviewed me. Who are we? I asked. Where do we come from and why do we still live here? Did you know that not a single attacker has come from Shuafat RC? This wall is part of Israel's demographic policy to ensure that fewer Palestinians live here. IS: Has it changed much here since your childhood? KD: When I was a kid, there was no Pisgat Ze'ev [the large Jewish neighborhood across the valley]. The schoolyard wasn't our only place to play. We'd go out to the hills. We'd go out with robes and cables and climb all the hills around here. We'd walk by foot to Hizme, along the wadis, down the hills. Now there are thousands of children here with nowhere to play. Some go to the mall in Pisgat Ze'ev, like it's a playground. They started building Pisgat Ze'ev in the 1980s. Now 50,000 people live there. Some residents went to the police with a petition. You want to know their complaint? "There's a refugee camp next door." IS: What do you tell your kids? How do you transmit a sense of hope? KD: It's hard. I'm not sure I do. I see black. What, I should tell the kids the world is green? I talked to the neighborhood committee in Pisgat Ze'ev. "Let's fight this wall together," I said. "Let's build a green space between us, a garden for my children and your children. This wall creates fear and resentment. Let's build something positive. Let's let our children know each other." They said, "No, the wall keeps us safe." I reminded them that not a single attacker has come from Shuafat RC. They said, "But the wall will prevent theft. Petty crime." I asked them if when the wall is built they'll leave their banks and supermarkets open at night. "Well, no," they said. And what's happened? Now Pisgat Ze'ev is afraid of us. They see our children coming back on their buses and they turn their eyes. IS: Do your kids feel like they're part of Jerusalem? K: They see themselves as Palestinian, first of all, and as Jerusalemites. This is their city. They want to stay here.
 
Atlanta's Next Mayor Could Be White Top
ATLANTA — The city that became a post-civil rights movement emblem of the political power held by African-Americans could have a white mayor for the first time in a generation – a possibility that has some in the black community scrambling to hold on to City Hall. Atlanta Councilwoman Mary Norwood, who is white, is one of the front-runners for the Nov. 3 election, along with City Council President Lisa Borders and state Sen. Kasim Reed, both of whom are black. All three have bristled at a racially charged e-mail circulated by a black leadership group calling for Norwood's defeat before a possible runoff. If the black candidates split the African-American vote, Norwood may find herself in a runoff, where she could benefit. "Blacks do not return to the polls in a runoff, historically," said Clark Atlanta University political science professor William Boone. "It's going to be very interesting. This is the election that some folks had talked about was coming." Atlanta, which has billed itself as "the city too busy to hate," elected Maynard Jackson as its first black mayor in 1973. Blacks who had won the right to vote less than a decade earlier rallied behind Jackson, who forced the city's white business elite to open their doors to minorities and adopted strict affirmative action policies. His election solidified the voting power of urban blacks, and the city has elected black mayors since. And while blacks have been the majority population and voting bloc in the city for decades, the demographics have changed in recent years. A large voting bloc – residents in the city's public housing – was erased as Atlanta's crumbling projects were demolished over the past decade. And young professionals, black and white, have flocked to opportunity in the city. In 2000, Atlanta was 33 percent white and 61 percent black. In 2007, the numbers were 38 percent white and 57 percent black, according to the U.S. Census. In addition, blacks may no longer feel obligated to elect a black mayor, Boone said. "You have a young generation of blacks – not native to Atlanta – who don't necessarily see that as something that has to happen," Boone said. "They may be staking their vote on matters more critical than race." However, a group of black community leaders is urging black voters to rally behind Borders, whose grandfather desegregated the city's police force and who was recently endorsed by the city's black clergy, to prevent a runoff that could hand Norwood a victory. In late August, an incendiary and widely circulated e-mail specifically noting Norwood's race began circulating among black Atlantans, encouraging them to back Borders. "Time is of the essence because in order to defeat a Norwood (white) mayoral candidacy we have to get out now and work in a manner to defeat her without a runoff, and the key is a significant Black turnout in the general election," the message sent by the Black Leadership Forum reads. "There is an unstated assumption that having a black mayor in Atlanta is equal to having a black social, economic and political agenda or at least someone in office who would be sensitive to that agenda if not a full promoter of that agenda ... A black agenda would better enable us to have our interests respected by and our influence realized in any administration." Borders is seen as the more formidable challenger to Norwood, but Reed, an Atlanta attorney who ran current Mayor Shirley Franklin's two successful campaigns, was recently endorsed by civil rights icon and former Mayor Andrew Young and enjoys support from the city's young, black professional community. They and Norwood, a former radio executive who also heads an automated telephone call business, are among 13 mayoral candidates – at least four of them white. Franklin, who became the city's first female chief executive in 2002, is limited to two consecutive terms and will finish her second with mixed reviews. Borders, Norwood and Reed have all denounced the Black Leadership Forum's e-mail and attempted to shift the conversation away from race. Norwood, who so far has not been embraced by any prominent black Atlantans, would be the first white woman to run the city. For eight years, the petite, scrappy 57-year-old has held a citywide post on the 16-member Atlanta council, where she is one of five white members. She said her approach is more on results than race. "We all come in our packages," she said. "This is the package I got." Not that Norwood is averse to using racial symbolism. Her campaign headquarters is in the former offices of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, co-founded by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1957. And when she won support from the city's firefighters, she announced the endorsement from a shuttered fire station in the heavily black West End neighborhood, home to some of the nation's best-known historically black colleges. David Bositis of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies in Washington said cities with large black populations like Gary, Ind., Philadelphia, Baltimore and St. Louis have all had white mayors in recent years. "African-Americans are very pragmatic. When they look at politics, they look at what's going to work," Bositis said. "It's perfectly fine if a white mayor gets elected with black support. On the other hand, it's not a good sign if you have ... a white candidate getting elected with white votes. It's an indication of polarization." ___ On the Net: Lisa Borders: http://www.bordersforatlanta.com Mary Norwood: http://www.marynorwoodformayor.com Kasim Reed: http://www.kasimreed.com More on Civil Rights
 
The Gang Of Six: Dickipedia Top
The Gang of Six (born July 17, 2009) is a bipartisan group of centrist and conservative Senators urging delay in consideration of health care reform, thereby insuring that the Obama health care plan will not be passed, not before the end of the 2009 Congressional session, not ever. Comprised of six members who are all dicks in their own right, the Gang of Six is an excellent example of Gestalt dickery, in which the whole is greater than the sum of its dicks. The Gang of Six halted progress on a potentially historic piece of legislation by mailing a letter of concern to Democratic and Republican leaders. This is the pussiest form of political protest since Sinead O'Connor ripped up that photo of the Pope on "Saturday Night Live" after singing an a cappella version of Bob Marley's "War." Remember that? WTF, right? By the way, despite having a name that sounds like a super-villain organization--form of "Filibuster!"-- the Gang of Six is also the pussiest gang since Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby. They may as well all be wearing neckerchiefs. Wimp-ass or not, initiation into the Gang of Six still involves killing people, just slowly, while they wither away in the waiting room at an understaffed free clinic. The Gang of Six is totally cock-blocking Barack Obama, right when he needs to get laid the most. Legislationally-speaking, of course. You'd imagine the Obamas still hold regular press conferences in the Rose Garden, if you know what we mean. They do it. Have sex. Jeez, do you really need to have it spelled out for you like that? More on Dickipedia
 
Barbara Boxer And Colleagues Feel The Heat On Cap And Trade Top
Later today, more than 320 environmental and energy groups plan to deliver a letter to Calif. Sen. Barbara Boxer and her colleagues on the Senate Environment Committee that she chairs, arguing that the climate bill that the House narrowly passed in June is too diluted to reasonably curb carbon emissions and spur growth in renewable energy. More on Climate Change
 
Matthew Alexander: McCain Backs Torture as Recruiting Tool for Al Qaida; Policy Led to the Deaths of U.S. Soldiers in Iraq Top
Since writing an Op-Ed ( I'm Still Torture by What I Saw in Iraq, Nov '08 ) for The Washington Post over nine months ago stating that the U.S. policy of torture and abuse was Al Qaida's number one recruiting tool and ultimately caused the deaths of hundreds, if not thousands, of American soldiers in Iraq, several critics have questioned the validity of my argument. I based my opinion on my personal experience in conducting and supervising over 1,300 interrogations and on statistics compiled by my Task Force and briefed to us by a DoD expert on foreign fighters in Iraq. I was not the first to make this argument about torture as a recruiting tool, but I was the first to say that the policy of torture and abuse was directly linked to U.S. deaths in Iraq. It's a hard pill to swallow, but true. Former Vice-President Dick Cheney called torture as a recruiting tool for Al Qaida a 'mantra' and stated that it was untrue. Wayne Simmons, a former CIA agent, called it 'preposterous' when I made this argument over the past weekend on Fox and Friends. Ann Coulter questioned it. Bill O'Reilly. Laura Ingraham. Brit Hume. And a host of others. Of course, none of the above mentioned individuals have interrogated an Al Qaida member, and with the exception of Wayne Simmons, worked as an intelligence officer or served in the military. So let's turn to individuals who have supported this argument. This weekend on Face the Nation with Bob Schieffer, Senator John McCain had the following to say: I think that these interrogations once publicized helped al Qaeda recruit. I got that from an al Qaeda operative in a prison camp in Iraq who told-- who told me that. He goes on to say: I was in-- Senator Lindsey Graham and I were in-- in Camp Bucca, the twenty-thousand-prisoner camp. We met with a former high-ranking member of al Qaeda. I said, "How did you succeed so well in Iraq after the initial invasions?" He said two things. One, the chaos that existed after the initial invasion, there was no order of any kind. Two, he said, Abu Ghraib pictures allowed me and helped me to recruit thousands of young men to our cause. Now that's al Qaeda. Former General Counsel to the Navy Alberto Mora's stated this same conclusion in testimony to Congress more than a year ago. He said: There are serving U.S. flag-rank officers who maintain that the first and second identifiable causes of U.S. combat deaths in Iraq -- as judged by their effectiveness in recruiting insurgent fighters into combat -- are, respectively the symbols of Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo. General Ray Odierno: The graphic revelations of detainee abuse motivated some terrorists including foreign fighters from Syria, Yemen and Saudi Arabia to join the jihad. General David Petraeus: An influx of foreign fighters from outside Afghanistan and new recruits from within Afghan could materialize, as the new photos serve as potent recruiting material to attract new members to join the insurgency. From the SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE INQUIRY INTO THE TREATMENT OF DETAINEES IN U.S. CUSTODY: Treating detainees harshly only reinforces that distorted view, increases resistance to cooperation, and creates new enemies. In addition, the following individuals have reached this same conclusion: Admiral Mike Mullen, (Ret) Admiral Dennis Blair (Director of National Intelligence), and Richard Clarke (former Chief of Counterterrorism). Those who call this argument 'preposterous' or dismiss it as a political 'mantra' are living in denial. I believe as a member of the Armed Forces that I had an obligation to my fellow brothers and sisters in arms to not put their lives in jeopardy, yet senior civilian leaders in the former administration willing sacrificed American principles and caused the deaths of U.S. soldiers in Iraq. In addition, many senior military officers encouraged, authorized, and allowed torture and abuse to be used against prisoners and ultimately cost us the lives of our comrades. I have been contacted by World War II veterans who were outraged that the former administration so easily dismissed the American principles that millions of veterans gave their lives to defend. They pointed out what I have said all along - we cannot become our enemy in trying to defeat him. This is one reason why I support the call for an independent, non-partisan commission to investigate the past policy of torture and abuse. We owe it to the fallen.
 
Nick Carr: A Decapitation on East 80th Street Top
If you go to the brownstone at 52 East 80th Street between Madison & Park... ...you'll see the decapitated limestone head of a Greco-Roman goddess in the front yard next to some trash barrels (gives you some perspective on its size). Below is a picture of New York's revered Ziegfeld Theater, a movie theater better described as a palace: What do the two have in common? This head is the only remnant of the old Ziegfeld that one can still see on a New York City street. The Ziegfeld Theater, one of New York City's premier movie theaters, opened in 1927 and had a glorious life as a movie theater, TV studio, and Broadway theater until it was torn down in 1966. According to the Ziegfeld's Wikipedia entry , this head was originally located on the front of the theater, though I'm not exactly sure where. How did it come to be here? Apparently, 52 East 80th was once owned by Jerry Hammer, a theatrical producer. In the 1960s, he was riding past the Ziegfeld in a car with shithead developer Zachary Fisher, who mentioned he was tearing it down. Hammer jokingly asked if he could have one of the limestone heads. Four months later, he heard noises outside of his Upper East Side home - it was a truck lowering the head by crane into his front yard. Hammer moved out of the place in 1998 but left the head behind. Are those two heads on either side of the upper balcony? Can't tell... In 1969, a second Ziegfeld opened up a few hundred feet from the original, and while the exterior is a mind-blowingly bland compared to the original, the interior is actually one of the nicest places you can see a movie in New York. High praise to Hammer for asking for the head, and also for leaving it behind for New York to enjoy. Definitely swing by 52 East 80th Street if you're in the area to see the last remaining piece of the once great Ziegfeld. -SCOUT More articles: www.scoutingny.com PS - That's a pretty sick window array on the second floor of that brownstone.
 
Daniel Yankelovich: It's Time to Really Engage Americans in Health Reform Top
Over the last few weeks, the debate around health care reform has become increasingly partisan and volatile as President Obama and members of Congress have moved outside the Beltway to talk directly with Americans in town hall meetings. It seems that every element of the bill engenders either wholehearted approval or complete rejection (and rage), with little middle ground. Hot button issues like end of life counseling (aka "death panels") and the public option seem to be falling by the wayside in the wake of what looks like insurmountable public opposition and anger. But, in fact, research shows that Americans, when they have a chance to work through the choices in health care reform, are actually far more willing to make tradeoffs than town hall meetings would suggest. Note to policymakers: The general public is still at an early stage of considering what should be done about health care. That is why concerns about a public option (not to mention "death panels") can quickly gain traction. However, once Americans work through the issues and tradeoffs, they are open to significant change, more so than many experts assume. As they move along the learning curve, on balance, they support a public option and conclude that an increased role for government is necessary to address the depth of the dysfunction in our health care system. The president can still secure public support for health reform, but to do so he has to help the public reach three key insights in sequence: First: Everyone is vulnerable. As job losses mount and companies struggle to cut costs, more and more people are at risk of losing their coverage completely or seeing their co-pays doubled. This recession makes the need for reform even more urgent. Second: Americans are already paying dearly, if indirectly, for today's system -- not just through premiums and co-pays, but also lower wages and higher prices. Imagine what we could achieve if the $12,000 per employee that companies now spend on insurance went instead to salaries or directly into making health care more responsive to consumers and less to insurance companies. Third: We have to get a handle on rising health care costs. If we don't, the country is in deep economic trouble -- and everyone will suffer for it, no matter how good their insurance is today. Once these three realizations are achieved, the public will support broad health care reform, but that understanding requires deeper dialogue than can be accomplished at town hall meetings. I can say this with confidence because of the result of a novel type of public-opinion research conducted over the past year by Viewpoint Learning (a company I co-founded in 1999). To understand how people come to a conclusion about the complicated issues involved in the health care debate, with the support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, we sat down with Americans in daylong meetings, asking them to discuss alternative scenarios for the future of the U.S. health care system. We wanted to determine the sort of structure that Americans would support after working through the tradeoffs that would be required. The participants, a representative sample of the U.S. population from three very different states, worked through a number of major sticking points including: ambivalence about the government's role in health care; concerns about restrictions on the good coverage some of them now enjoy; and how to pay for a health care system they want. As they defined the health care reforms that made sense to them, they became more realistic about the tradeoffs required to realize that vision and how to pay for them. We saw that Americans are ready to address difficult tradeoffs and to be challenged, and become wary of one-sided "spin" and easy answers. They want leaders to honestly discuss the pros and cons of different approaches, and they want to have a voice in decisions that will affect them. Based on our research, the kind of structure that appeals most strongly features two tiers: a first tier that provides basic, guaranteed coverage for all Americans and an additional tier of coverage that comes at the discretion of employers and individuals. It would place more emphasis on wellness and prevention and increase the number and role of general practitioners as well as nurse practitioners and other non-physician health care providers. The system would make greater use of technology, like medical identification cards, to improve quality and continuity of care, and feature more stringent regulation of the widely mistrusted insurance industry. Many of these points are very similar to the current legislation being considered in the House and Senate, and some go further. Support for President Obama's plan for reform is eroding -- reminding many of us of what happened in 1993 when the Clinton White House attempted to overhaul the U.S. health care system. In the heat of the Clinton battle for health care reform, I analyzed 17 different polls that showed an average of 57 percent support for the Clinton proposal. Within months that support had collapsed to 37 percent. Our findings demonstrate that while the danger of repeating history is very real, it also is avoidable. The president still has time to secure public support for health reform, but as a precondition, he must help Americans achieve three realizations: we already pay dearly for a system that does not work; we must bend the cost curve for the sake of our country's long-term well-being; and we all benefit from a system that works better. If he can do that, real health care reform, including counseling on end of life and a public option, will be within our grasp. More on Health Care
 
Faith Hope Consolo: The Faithful Shopper: Retailer Report Card -- Power Push to Make the Grade Top
Ready or not, bring on "Back to School"... though the parents out there may not be as ready as they'd like. According to the National Retail Federation's (NRF) Back-to-School/College Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, conducted by BIGresearch, the average American family had completed only 41.6 percent of their back-to-school shopping as of August 11. Nearly one-third (30.5%) of families with school-aged children (K-12) haven't even started shopping. Families of college students have completed 41.0% of their shopping, while a whopping 41.9% of families with students already in or planning to attend college have not started shopping. This is not insignificant for retailers, as the NRF projects that total back-to-school and back-to-college spending will reach $47.50 billion this year. Here, too, the economy is making itself felt, i.e., family sales for K-12 students will likely drop 7.7% from last year although it is predicted that college students' families will spend slightly more. This means that back-to-school is more competitive than ever, and retailers are gearing up expansions and massive promotions to draw students and their parents. Among the youth-oriented stores opening in town are: Hollister , 600 Broadway in Soho, is big, bad and central, with model perfect shopgirls and shopboys to match; Crewcuts , whose upscale children's apparel is favored by the Obama girls, at 1190 Madison Avenue; Lemonade a new children's apparel concept at 1038 Lexington Avenue; and a reopening of Guess ' Soho flagship at 537 Broadway. But who will get straight A's among retailer expansions and marketing campaigns? Bear in mind that I grade based on luxury quotient, with a particular eye to creative collaboration, particularly critical in this evolving retail scene. A + Gucci Pop-up Stores to Sell Sneakers For ingenuity, surprise and sheer fun, nothing beats a temporary store. Pop-up Gucci Icon-Temporary stores, launching in New York City for two to three weeks, will sell 18 sneaker styles. The concept will then continue on to Miami, London, Berlin, Paris, Hong Kong and Tokyo. DJ Mark Ronson is among those designing for the stores, with merchandise running from $500 to $1,400 a pair. Top quality merchandise in a format guaranteed to generate excitement means top marks! Bloomingdale's Pulls Out All the Stops -- Creative Vision Promoting Indie Films and Superb Style Our love affair with the movies is never stronger than during a challenging economy, and Bloomingdale's is celebrating cinema in this year's fall campaign. "Lights, Camera, Fashion," being billed as Bloomie's most elaborate fall promotion yet, entails a collaboration of major motion picture studios, an independent film studio, a classic cable movie network and a hot new video game. Most exciting for me will be "Bflix," five short films the store commissioned through a writer/director organization called Young Indies Films and shown in Bloomingdale's stores as well as on its Web site. The ultimate A goes to : Apple , whose Fifth Avenue Cube is the epicenter of importance socially and academically -- Apple MacBook Pro is the ultimate cool tool. The new iPhone 3GS is the most coveted accessory in town and the store offers several different fashionable covers so you can match your outfits to your phone. OfficeMax Uses YouTube for Back-to-School Ads Beautifully matching medium and audience, OfficeMax's seven new YouTube spots demonstrate its bargain values on back-to-school supplies. The videos show comedic hidden-camera shots of an mprove actor trying to buy pricey goods with pennies. B - J.C. Penney/Macy's Face-off in Manhattan J.C. Penney is competing with Macy's in Manhattan and as such has updated its wares with trendy, youth-oriented clothing lines and aggressive marketing campaigns. Macy's, traditionally more high-end, is playing up its value offerings. The competition between the department store retailers highlights recession-prompted shifts in the retail industry. Penney loses points for its underground location and some iffy quality in its apparel, while Macy's is now trying to reverse its finely crafted upscale image, which could be problematic. Disney and Sears Disney Media Sales and Marketing is whipping up some back-to-school magic, crafting a multi-platform sweepstakes/sponsorship deal with Sears. As part of an effort to inspire 'tweens to arrive in style on their first day of classes, the Disney sales team has linked Sears with Selena Gomez, star of the Disney Channel original series "Wizards of Waverly Place." At the core of the on-air effort is a 45-second "Rock the Red Carpet" spot designed to send viewers to Sears' dedicated ArriveLounge.com sweepstakes site. The ad features Gomez and two school-age chums, all dolled up in Sears fashions and traipsing their way into a movie premiere. After spelling out the spoils--the grand prize is a chance to hang out with Gomez at a Hollywood red carpet event--the spot closes with a quick reminder to watch the star on Wizards. The retailer also will be featured in a flight of 15-second sponsor messages leading up to the August 28 premiere of "Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie," a made-for-TV feature. As fun as the promotion is, though, is it good enough to change Sears into a cool fashion shop for tweens? I have enough doubts to lower the grade. Old Navy, Marvel partner for back-to-school promotion Old Navy will offer clothing featuring Spider-Man, Incredible Hulk, Iron Man and other Marvel characters for back-to-school shoppers. Marvel also has branding relationships with Pottery Barn Kids and Walgreen. Good for Old Navy to link to a known successful brand, but can it turn around the merchandise? Michaels Hosting Back-to-School Workshops Craft-store chain Michaels will host free workshops that allow children to decorate their school pencil boxes with stickers and paint. The retailer is promoting the events, which will take place in all U.S. and Canadian stores, on its Web sites and via e-mail campaign. A real investment in the future, this one will get a whole new generation of craft-ers started, while providing a fun event. While the discounters will remain the top places to shop, NRF says, give a look at the innovation going on around town -- and see what stores make the grade for you. Happy shopping!
 
David Fiderer: Are Banks Too Big? Don't Count on Downsizing Anytime Soon Top
A trillion dollars is not what it used to be, which is why any regulator concerned about moral hazard has his work cut out for him. Twenty-one banks have trillion-plus balance sheets, according to Bankersalmanac.com . Of those, only three are based in the U.S.* Forty banks hold assets in excess of $600 billion, the size of Lehman Brothers’ balance sheet at the point when its Chapter 11 filing set off a global financial panic . In other words, there are an awful lot of financial institutions that are that are too big to fail. If a bank is too big to fail, is it too big? The Washington Post posed that question recently. If the answer is yes, then the solution is international.  Taking note of something was obvious a year ago, when the shot gun bank mergers were announced, the Post reported that JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America, and Well Fargo have increased their market shares after acquiring Washington Mutual, Merrill Lynch, and Wachovia respectively.   Yes, these U.S. banks are huge.  But the Post’s analysis was somewhat provincial. A single bank in Edinburgh, Royal Bank of Scotland, is larger than JPMorgan and BofA combined, according to Bankersalmanac.   Foreign banks are not only big, they have much more of an international presence. Foreign banks control over 30% of the $15 trillion of the financial assets held by banks in the U.S., according to the IMF .  European and U.K. banks hold about a third of their assets outside of their home country; for American banks, its only 13 percent. European banks have a much bigger presence in emerging markets. What are the chances that Timothy Geithner, if he were so inclined, would get a favorable response if he approached his counterpart in France and asked, “I’ll break up Chase and BofA, into a bunch of $500 billion banks, if you’ll do the same with BNP, Agricole and Societe Generale,”? My hunch is that the French, or any other member of the G8, would preface their, “No thank-you,” with an icy stare. In a certain respect, a bank’s international presence reflects its host country’s international influence. Financial ministers are very conscious of prestige. Despite all the handwringing about systemic risk from overly large and interrelated financial institutions, governments don’t seem to be dissuaded from the longstanding notion that, for banks, bigger is better. Of course, the U.S. government can act unilaterally if it wants to address the moral hazard issue by reducing the concentration of power among the largest U.S. financial institutions. But I wouldn’t count on it. ________________ *The Bankersalmanac.com listing above is skewed in several respects. First, it did not combine Wells Fargo and Wachovia as a single bank, which would have put four U.S. banks in the trillion-plus category. The Federal Reserve , which ranks bank holding companies (as opposed to banks) according to their asset size, shows that the U.S. institutions are appreciably larger. However the larger point, that most of huge financial institutions are based outside the U.S., still holds. More on Banks
 
Steele: Americans Shouldn't Be "Guilted" Into Passing Health Care Reform By Kennedy's Death Top
Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele said Monday that Americans shouldn't be "guilted" into passing health care reform because of the death of Sen. Ted Kennedy. More on Michael Steele
 
Dems Press Insurance Companies On "Purging" Small Businesses Top
Two senior House Democratic lawmakers are seeking new information from six top insurance companies in an ongoing probe of the industry's business practices. Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), chairman of that panel's Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, on Monday asked the companies to turn over information about what they call their practice of "purging" small businesses from their rolls when covered employees get sick.
 
Angelo Mozilo, Ex-Countrywide CEO: Was He To Blame? Top
When David Gautreaux volunteered to assist at a charity golf tournament in Thousand Oaks two years ago, he was eager to meet the event's host, Angelo R. Mozilo, then chief executive of mortgage giant Countrywide Financial Corp. An actor and investor who owned Countrywide stock, Gautreaux was stationed at the 12th hole when Mozilo strode onto the green. Gautreaux remarked that Mozilo was winning. More on Housing Crisis
 
Ari Melber: Obama Organizing Advisers Rap Health Care Push Top
Two former advisers to Barack Obama's presidential campaign, famed labor organizer Marshall Ganz and urban policy expert Peter Dreier , are now publicly criticizing Obama's health care reform strategy. In a frank op-ed in the Washington Post on Sunday, they contrasted Obama's campaign promises of organizing and confrontation with the sometimes middling approach to mobilizing health care reform: Throughout the campaign, Obama cautioned that enacting his ambitious plans would take a fight. In a speech in Milwaukee, he said: "I know how hard it will be to bring about change. Exxon Mobil made $11 billion this past quarter. They don't want to give up their profits easily." He explained what it would take to overcome the power of entrenched interests in order to pass historic legislation. Change comes about, candidate Obama said, by "imagining, and then fighting for, and then working for, what did not seem possible before." ... But in the battle for health-care reform, the president and his allies are ignoring his own warning. The struggle for universal medical insurance... is in trouble. For months the president insisted that any significant reform of the health-care system include a "public option" ... Republicans have made it clear that they won't support any plan that competes with the insurance industry ... In the past few weeks, Obama has hinted that he might settle for reform without a public option, thus assuaging the Baucus caucus and the insurance industry but angering many of his progressive supporters. At the same time, Obama's readiness to compromise hasn't mollified members of the small but vocal right-wing Republican network... If the unholy alliance of insurance industry muscle, conservative Democrats' obfuscation and right-wing mob tactics is able to defeat Obama's health-care proposal, it will write the conservative playbook for blocking other key components of the president's agenda -- including action on climate change, immigration reform and updates to the nation's labor laws. The article goes on to apportion the blame widely -- not simply knocking Obama or OFA management, but also unions, liberal advocacy organizations and "netroots groups" -- and it credits conservatives for wielding stronger organizing tactics this summer. That's an especially significant argument coming from Ganz, a progressive organizing guru who has worked with everyone from Cesar Chavez to Howard Dean to Obama, including recording an endorsement for the Illinois Senator at the inception of the presidential campaign (video below). Here's the key criticism: Once in office, the president moved quickly, announcing one ambitious legislative objective after another. But instead of launching a parallel strategy to mobilize supporters, most progressive organizations and Organizing for America -- the group created to organize Obama's former campaign volunteers -- failed to keep up . The president is not solely responsible for his current predicament; many progressives have not acknowledged their role. Since January, most advocacy groups committed to Obama's reform objectives (labor unions, community organizations, environmentalists and netroots groups such as MoveOn) have pushed the pause button. Organizing for America, for example, encouraged Obama's supporters to work on local community service projects, such as helping homeless shelters and tutoring children. That's fine, but it's not the way to pass reform legislation... Meanwhile, as the president's agenda emerged, his former campaign volunteers and the advocacy groups turned to politics as usual: the insider tactics of e-mails, phone calls and meetings with members of Congress. Some groups -- hoping to go toe-to-toe with the well-funded business-backed opposition -- launched expensive TV and radio ad campaigns in key states to pressure conservative Democrats. Lobbying and advertising are necessary, but they have never been sufficient to defeat powerful corporate interests. In short, the administration and its allies followed a strategy that blurred their goals, avoided polarization, confused marketing with movement-building and hoped for bipartisan compromise that was never in the cards . This approach replaced an "outsider" mobilizing strategy that not only got Obama into the White House but has also played a key role in every successful reform movement, including abolition, women's suffrage, workers' rights, civil rights and environmental justice. Grass-roots mobilization raises the stakes, identifies the obstacles to reform and puts the opposition on the defensive. The right-wing fringe understood this simple organizing lesson and seized the momentum. Its leaders used tactics that energized their base, challenged specific elected officials and told a national story, enacted in locality after locality. Of course, it's easier to mobilize against something than to develop an outsider-insider strategy supporting an incumbent legislative proposal and , in the case for many Obama-friendly progressives, simultaneously trying to strengthen the proposal along the way. MoveOn, to take one example, has been trying a two-track approach. Politically, the group has largely backed the White House on health care. Meanwhile, organizationally, MoveOn staff have been working with their members on "Public Option NOW" events. If you believe that Obama adviser who said he was "shocked and surprised" to see a progressive fallout over the public option, however, then those efforts have not been very influential on the inside track. Finally, it does seem like the August doldrums are renewing the progressive appetite for pushing Obama -- even the House Progressive Caucus is starting to channel its inner Evan Bayh and actually threaten to withhold votes. Just as Ganz and Dreier took their strong criticisms public , there is always the prospect that many other Obama supporters may get more vocal. Michael Huttner, who heads ProgressNow, a 2-million member netroots organization focused on state issues, has a new book out this week that aims to mobilize Obama supporters into taking more concrete action to help and push the administration during this governance period. If progressive Obama agitation moves beyond a few critics and into the broader engagement of supporters around the country, well, that's the kind of mass action that Ganz and Dreier have in mind. -- From The Nation. More on Health Care
 
Lokita and Steve Carter: Beyond Sexual Techniques Top
Remember how everything is brighter when you first fall in love? Have you ever felt the special feeling of oneness during or after lovemaking? You are fully connected with your partner on the physical, emotional and spiritual plane. Nothing matters but the two of you, almost floating in the air with satisfaction and closeness. All worries and doubts have disappeared, and you are completely relaxed. Your body tingles with delight, and your heart is beating joyously and with love. You disappear into the eyes of your partner and everything you do, look at and touch suddenly has a special glow. And let's take a look at the other side, at our daily circumstances -- a myriad of responsibilities, concerns about the future, dealing with the challenges of life. Our bodies respond with stress, and get ill. We connect with others using technical gadgets. Our hearts close and we shift into busy-ness overdrive. Sex becomes an itch that we scratch like an insect bite. We rush through the day on autopilot, not looking at anyone, and fall asleep like a zombie at the end of the day or take some medication to help us relax because we are so wound up. Undoubtedly, the state of being described at the beginning of this blog is better for long-lasting wellness, joy and a balanced life! My husband Steve and I have been teaching Tantra workshops since 1999 when we founded the Institute for Ecstatic Living. For us, Tantra is an all-encompassing spiritual path that includes many different forms of practices -- meditations, sitting in the presence of a spiritual teacher, expanding our life force energy, and embodying the qualities of awakened consciousness. Creating equanimity and balance in the ups and downs of life. Being ecstatic on the peaks and in the valleys of living and loving. Opening our hearts open so that we may light others' candles with our flame and help make the world a better place with our compassion and love. Over the past 20 years, the term "Tantra" has become equivalent with sex. But those who think Tantra equals sex may miss the point. While there are some advanced practices involving intercourse, Tantra is not an assortment of sexual techniques and positions designed to produce bigger, longer and better orgasms. The point of tantric practice lies beyond the techniques and methods, when we are 100% present, our mind stops, our ego disappears, we become one with all, and enter into vast emptiness and stillness. Then we are absorbed in the blissful state of being. Some think that they can only get there in sex, that's why there's been such a focus on Tantra's sexual practices. But the good news is that we can bring this ecstatic experience into all aspects of our life! That's where tantric practice really begins. A fun and simple way for us is to connect more with ourselves and others. As I drop my mail off at the post office, I look into the eyes of the clerk, smile and wish him a wonderful day. When Steve pays for the groceries at the local store, he compliments the lady at the checkout. The responses to these simple connections are usually uplifting -- people are friendly, they smile back, and there is a thread of knowing each other just a little bit better. Consciously connecting with others, we rise above the automatic everyday interactions into being present and awake. As I leave the post office, there is a new spring in my step, and my heart feels lighter. Throughout the day I open my senses as much and as often as I can. It only takes a moment to bring my awareness to it! I taste the food I am eating. I feel my fingers tapping away on the keyboard. When I wash my hands, I notice the temperature of the water, and the smell of the soap. And I listen to my breath. Tuning into my body helps me to arrive in the present moment, and forget about the past and future. Try it right now! Steve and I are committed to infusing a sense of the sacred into every action. Even the most mundane task can become amazing when we do them with awareness. Looking at Steve -- which I do a thousand times a day -- I recognize the divine in him. He is so much more than the sum of his parts! As I transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, life becomes more colorful. And last, but not least, I practice being orgasmic in everything I do. Being orgasmic is an adjective; it is a state of being, not a ten-second occurrence. Can I immerse myself totally as I write this article? Do I throw myself whole-heartedly into the waves of work, household, love, pleasure, tears, anger and joy? Am I holding myself back or am I fully alive? This is what tantric practice is to us -- a beacon of awareness and a practical and easily accessible way to live ecstatically every moment of our lives. Do you have any questions or comments? Feel free to contact Lokita and Steve Carter at info@ecstaticliving.com or visit us on Facebook . More on Happiness
 
60 Percent Of Africans Attacked In Moscow Top
Nearly 60% of black and African people living in Russia's capital Moscow have been physically assaulted in racially motivated attacks, says a new study. More on Russia
 
Robert Naiman: Senator Kennedy's Most Important Vote Top
As Senator Ted Kennedy has been eulogized in recent days, almost all of the discussion of his "legacy" has focused on domestic issues. Only a few have noted what Senator Kennedy himself said was the most important vote he ever cast in the U.S. Senate: his vote against the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Economist Dean Baker, asked by the Beltway newspaper The Hill to comment on "the most significant aspect of Senator Kennedy's legacy," wrote : I'll just agree with Senator Kennedy on this one. He said that his vote against the Iraq War was the most important vote that he cast the whole time he was in the Senate. At a time when most of the political establishment, and certainly most of the media establishment, was cowed by an administration yelling about the threat of terrorism, Senator Kennedy stood back and looked at the evidence in a serious manner. [...] This was a display of courage and sound judgment at a time when these character traits were virtually absent from the halls of power in official Washington. Democratic politicians are often praised by establishment pundits for showing "leadership" if they stand on the side of powerful against the interests of those they were elected to represent. But most people would see Senator Kennedy's vote against the war as a better example of "leadership": standing up for the people you were elected to represent, in the face of significant pressure to do otherwise. It's not surprising that the same media institutions which failed to challenge the Bush Administration's "faith-based" case for the war in Iraq would pass over this opportunity to remind everyone that they failed to show the same leadership as Senator Kennedy did when the nation needed it most. In the coming month, we're going to face a national test similar in some ways to the test we faced - and failed - over the decision to go to war in Iraq. A major escalation of the war in Afghanistan is being put in place - so major, in fact, that it is tantamount to starting a new war. U.S. forces in Afghanistan are being doubled; Admiral Mullen speaks of "starting over." The establishment pundit chatter is that "leadership" by Democrats is required on Afghanistan - meaning, that Democratic politicians should support the war, even though the majority of Americans - and the overwhelming majority of Democrats - have turned against it. Many Democratic Representatives in Congress have voiced skepticism of the plans for military escalation. This summer, Representative Jim McGovern's amendment requiring the Pentagon to present Congress with an exit strategy from Afghanistan was supported by the majority of House Democrats. Voices showing similar leadership in the Senate have been largely absent. But last week, Senator Russ Feingold called for a "flexible timetable" for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Will other Senators speak up, before Congress commits our troops and our tax dollars to a major escalation of the war in Afghanistan? More on Afghanistan
 
Chinese Factories Face Surprising Labor Shortage Top
XINTANG, China — During the first half of this year, Yang Zongfu's blue jean factory had few customers. Now, as his business picks up, he can't find enough workers. Clutching a chalkboard with a long list of job openings, Yang joined about 30 other factory owners who have been spending their mornings at a street employment fair in the southern town of Xintang, the jean-manufacturing hub of China. "I've been out here for two days and haven't found anyone," said Yang, as the scorching late morning sun beamed down on his sweaty, bald head. The dearth of workers is a surprising turn in an economy where millions were laid off just months ago, and the government worried the jobless would riot. Back then, it was the workers roaming the streets looking for jobs. The labor crunch is another sign that the Chinese economy – the world's third largest – is bouncing back from the global downturn, invigorated by government stimulus spending and a flood of cheap bank loans. But experts say the shortage is also the result of a wariness among migrant workers – whom the government discouraged from traveling to cities when jobs were scarce – of returning before they are sure the economy has fully recovered. China's economy has certainly begun to heat up, contributing to the increased demand for labor. The nation's economic growth hit 7.9 percent in the second quarter, up from 6.1 percent the previous quarter, the government said. Exports, retail sales and factory output also improved in July, according to official statistics. In Xintang, Yang said his business started improving in August when domestic buyers started placing orders. His factory – which has received few overseas orders – is now ramping back up to its pre-slowdown headcount of 100 from around 60 earlier this year, he said. His chalkboard help-wanted sign advertises for one worker who can sew belt loops and another who can stitch pockets. He also needed a fabric-stretcher, a pants-hemmer and a zipper-stitcher. Other factory bosses along the street displayed signs made out of red poster board or scraps of brown cardboard looking for textile workers. Some economists and industry executives, however, said that the recovery is still anemic and may prove short-lived – signals that may discourage people from leaving the farms to return to the factories. Andy Xie, an independent economist based in Shanghai, said that while factory orders are rising, they are still sharply lower compared to pre-downturn figures. "What I see is that the retailers in the U.S. and elsewhere, in response to the rising cost of money last year, ran their inventories down to zero, so Chinese factories had no orders in October, November and December last year," Xie said. "That was not a normal situation," he added. "Now with the credit costs pretty low again, you have restocking going on." Although business has picked up, the orders are small in quantity, said Danny Lau Tat-pong, chairman of the Hong Kong Small and Medium Enterprises Association, whose members run many of the factories in the Pearl River Delta. Many workers are savvy enough to understand these business trends and are cautious about who they work for because they might get axed again. For many who returned home once they were laid off, forking out the cash for a job search in a faraway province can be a big investment. Many don't want to risk it now if the prospects aren't solid. In Xintang, migrant laborer Rui Deji scanned the help-wanted signs in the job fair as he clutched his lunch – a head of cabbage in a red plastic bag. The 20-something migrant with spiky hair, brown slacks and sandals said he has spent the past six years in textile factories in Xintang. Rui said he has been unemployed for a month and would be willing to work for the average wage of 2,000 yuan ($293) a month. But he doubted that any of the factories at the fair would pay him that much for long. "The problem is that business is unstable," Rui said. "You can't be sure the work will last for long. And you also need to worry about whether the boss will pay you on time or even at all. That's why so many migrants aren't leaving their villages to come back here to work." When the global downturn hit China last year, 30 million migrants lost their jobs, many of them in the Pearl River Delta, called the "world's factory floor" because its China's export manufacturing base. Xintang (pronounced SHIN-tahng) is about an hour's drive from downtown Guangzhou, the provincial capital at the center of delta. Fears that those angry unemployed workers would roam the streets of industrial zones committing crimes or foment unrest in their home villages in the countryside caused Beijing to put in place policies to head off trouble. Villages started job training programs and offered micro-loans to help migrants start small businesses at home. Officials from Guangzhou asked local government to tell migrants not to head to the Pearl River Delta, said Zhang Baoying, director of the Guangzhou Human Resource Market Service Center. "We held meetings and advised the local employment authorities that the employment situation was going to worsen in Guangzhou," Zhang said. "As a result, many of the workers, after learning about the situation through local officials, did not come back." Now, officials are trying to turn the tap of migrant labor back on, traveling to far-flung provinces to recruit workers, said Wang Ouxiang, deputy secretary of the human resources and social security bureau in the city of Wenzhou, a city on the east coast that is also a key manufacturing center. Wenzhou factories have more than 10,000 openings, he said. Last week, Wenzhou held a job fair offering 2,000 positions, Wang said. "Only 700 workers showed up," he said, "even though we advertised the event on television a week before." Wang said that China's 4 trillion yuan ($586 billion) stimulus plan has helped create work closer to home for migrants in the interior provinces. "If it's easy to work from your hometown, why not?" he said. ___ Associated Press researchers Zhao Liang in Beijing and Ji Chen in Shanghai contributed to this report. More on China
 
Obama Expected To Moderate Meeting Between Netanyahu, Abbas Top
President Obama is expected to moderate a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in late September, a discussion that could lead to the resumption of peace negotiations, Israeli President Shimon Peres told FOX News. More on Israel
 
Carl Pope: A Second Scopes Trial? Top
Last week the Chamber of Commerce filed a petition with the EPA asking for an administrative law judge to resolve the question of whether or not carbon dioxide is a pollutant that EPA should regulate under the Clean Air Act. William L. Kovacs, the Chamber's senior vice president for the Environment, Technology & Regulatory Affairs, originally said the hearing would be a second Scopes trial, referring to the 1920s Tennessee case on whether evolution could be legally taught in the schools: "It would be evolution versus creationism. It would be the science of climate change on trial." The Chamber has had second thoughts about the analogy, not the demand for a trial. Kovacs now says, "My 'Scopes monkey' analogy was inappropriate and detracted from my ability to effectively convey the Chamber's position on this important issue." Well, methinks Bill Kovacs and the Chamber doth protest too much. Indeed, I couldn't have put it better myself. This would be the Scopes trial of the 21st century -- a second abuse of the judicial process to impede public understanding of science. And only a Scopes trial -- a bogus exercise in which science is suppressed -- would serve the Chamber's goals. The Chamber seems to have conveniently forgotten that the Scopes trial was not an effort to ensure that there was scientific peer review of Darwin's theory -- it was an effort to overturn a Tennessee law that prohibited the teaching of evolution not as bad science but as a threat to religion. It was the only court case in American history where someone was actually convicted of the crime of teaching a scientific theory. This, of course, shed absolutely no light on the question of the validity of Darwin's theory of evolution, as witnessed by the fact that eighty years later American public education continues to be bedeviled by the controversy. As Darrow put it, he took on the case in the hope "of preventing bigots and ignoramuses from controlling the education of the United States." Unfortunately, it appears that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has allowed itself to be hijacked for the purpose of ensuring that ignoramuses continue to control U.S. energy and climate policy for at least a few more years. Let's remember that there already has been a thorough scientific vetting of the issue -- the UN's IPCC panel of the world's leading climate scientists. The Chamber dismisses this panel and seems to believe that a single Administrative Law judge would do a better job than thousands of scientists. Sadly, the Chamber also seems to overlook that there has already been a trial on these very issues -- Massachusetts vs. EPA -- and that it was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled that if CO2 causes climate change, it is a pollutant under the Clean Air Act and can (and, indeed, must) be regulated by EPA. The Court also ruled that the previous decision by the Bush administration not to regulate CO2 -- the position supported by the Chamber -- lacked "any reasoned explanation." Mr. Kovacs now claims that "The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is not denying or otherwise challenging the science behind global climate change." Would that it were true. Remember Mr. Kovacs's original statement -- if the Chamber's petition were granted, "It would be the science of climate change on trial." Somehow, putting science on trial seems to me to fit the definition of "challenge." The Chamber also claims that there's a remaining issue that requires a rehearing -- whether climate change constitutes "harm" under the Clean Air Act. But this issue was resolved in the plain language of the Clean Air Act itself -- any pollutant that harms the climate is, by definition, harming the public welfare. And the Supreme Court also decisively dealt with the issue by holding that "the harms associated with climate change are serious and well recognized." The Chamber concedes that it is not arguing over whether CO2 contributes to climate change. Instead it asserts that "endangerment in the Clean Air Act context is a bureaucratic turn of a phrase; one can be against an endangerment finding and still supportive of strong, effective action to reduce carbon emissions." As a policy matter, perhaps. But as a legal matter, not since Massachusetts vs. EPA. If the Chamber were really conceding that CO2 changes the climate, then it would have no business filing this petition, because the Supreme Court has already ruled that "EPA can avoid promulgating regulations only if it determines that greenhouse gases do not contribute to climate change." I don't believe the Chamber's lawyers didn't read and understand the Supreme Court ruling. They are simply ignoring it -- just as the Bush administration did for two years. Let's also remember the history. The Chamber asked for no such Administrative Law review when the Bush administration declined to regulate CO2 -- even though large parts of the Administrative record on the basis of which that decision was made were kept secret from the public and the Congress. Nor does anyone seriously believe that if an Administrative Law judge were to review the proposed ruling that CO2 endangers the climate, and uphold it, that this would change the Chamber's policy objections to effective federal action. This entire exercise is, quite simply, a stall -- and a clumsy one. One monkey trial was enough. It is now the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that is making a fool of itself -- much as William Jennings Bryan did eighty years ago when he prosecuted Scopes. Its members should rescue their organization's reputation by publicly burying this idea before it does them any more harm. If you agree, sign this petition. More on Climate Change
 
Sophia Yin: Does Spaying or Neutering Your Pet Really Improve Behavior? Top
As a veterinarian focused on animal behavior, I see all kinds of cases and field all kinds of questions. And unlike with regular medical problems, I know that the solution will, unfortunately, require some work and habit-changes on the part of the owners. So when I get a call or email asking, "Help! My male dog mounts every dog he meets and needs to mark every object in sight. What do I do?" I am almost overjoyed. While the owners could go through all kinds of detailed an elaborate training involving 100% supervision around all other dogs and prime-marking objects, they could more instead opt for the easy way out. My first recommendation is "Get him neutered first and if the problem continues at all we can add a behavior modification plan." The solution is so simple that I actually rarely have to make this recommendation. My veterinary colleagues out in general practice can make the recommendation themselves. But this case raises two questions: What other behavioral issues can neutering help address, and what is the rate of success? In general, it would be expected that spaying or neutering most likely affects sexually dimorphic behaviors -- those that are more characteristic for one gender or the other. This is exactly what a 1997 study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Davis, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital found. Misbehaving Males This study evaluated how neutering adult male dogs affected such problem behaviors as urine marking in the house, mounting, roaming, fear of inanimate stimuli as well as aggression toward family members, strangers, household dogs, unfamiliar dogs and human territorial intruders. Fifty-seven dogs that had exhibited one or more of these problems before being castrated at 2 to 7 years of age were included in the study. Follow-up revealed that castration was most effective at reducing: • urine marking • mounting • roaming The decrease was marked • 90% decrease of these behaviors in 40% of the study dogs • 50% decrease of the remaining 60% of the study dogs No relationship existed between the effect of neutering and the age of the dog or duration of the problem behavior before castration. Neutering also a ffected aggression toward canine and human family members but to a lesser extent and in fewer dogs 25% of the study dogs improving by more than 50%. Surprisingly, 10% to 15% of dogs showed less aggression toward unfamiliar dogs and territorial intruders. Therefore, neutering can likely provide marked improvement for many dogs that are exhibiting marking, roaming or mounting behavior and may offer some improvement in dogs that are aggressive toward people and other dogs. Neutering seems to be less successful in reducing other types of aggression, although improvement is possible. For Cats the Story May Be Even More Promising With cats the relationship between neutering and behavior is even stronger. "Regarding behaviors that are more specific to male animals, castration seems to be more effective [in modifying behavior problems] in cats than in dogs," says Melissa Bain, DVM, assistant professor of clinical animal behavior at UC Davis. A study conducted at UC Davis in the 1990s found that in 90% of male cats, castration greatly reduces or eliminates • urine spraying • roaming • fighting with neighborhood males Fifty percent of the cats showed a dramatic decrease (80% decrease) in the spraying, roaming and fighting decreased in the first week, although the remaining study cats demonstrated a more gradual decline. For Females the Effects May be Different The study results for male dogs and cats make the course of action clear. But for female dogs, the findings on the effects of spaying on behavior, at least of German Shepherd dogs bred for military work were unexpected. According to Katherine Houpt, VMD, PhD, DACVB, former director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at Cornell University Hospital for Animals, spaying may actually contribute to behavioral problems. In a cooperative study with the Institute of Animal Medicine at Gyeongsang National University in Korea, Houpt and her colleagues found that ovariohysterectomy (spay) in healthy German Shepherds bred as working dogs led to increased reactivity. In the study, 14 healthy German Shepherd bitches at the Korean Air Force Dog Training Center were studied. Half of the study dogs were spayed at 5 to 10 months of age, and the other half were intact. The dogs were littermates and were split equally into both groups to control for genetics. The dogs all lived in the same kennel environment and received similar handling. Their behavioral reactions were tested at 4 and 5 months after surgery. Each dog was tested separately in its outdoor kennel while the rest of the dogs remained indoors. An unfamiliar human with an unknown dog walked within 1 meter of the target dog's kennel, and the kenneled German shepherd's response was recorded. In each of four different recordings for each dog, researchers recorded • barking or growling • lunging • jumping • snapping • head high • ears forward • eyes staring • lips lifting or curling. Dogs were scored as follows • Score of 3 if they exhibited all 10 behaviors • Score of 2 if they exhibited 7 of 10 behaviors • Score of 1 if they exhibited 5 of 10 behaviors • Score of 0 if they exhibited less than 4 of the behaviors "Ideally we would have scored the dogs before they were spayed, too," says Houpt. "Regardless, the results were dramatic. Dogs that had been spayed were significantly more reactive, with most receiving scores of 2 and 3, whereas the unspayed littermates received reactivity scores of 1." These scores decreased in two of the seven experimental dogs on repeat testing, but by the final testing phase, five of the seven dogs still received a score of 2 or higher. Houpt, she emphasizes that military dogs would be expected to exhibit more aggressive behaviors and such behavior on command may be desirable. These dogs would not, however, be appropriate as pet or guide dogs or for pet therapy. From my perspective the findings in this specific population of working dogs suggests the differences might not be as dramatic in dogs that weren't bred for high arousal and this type of dog should also be tested. Although the study was small, Houpt suggests that veterinarians should consider performing a hysterectomy rather than an ovariohysterectomy for preventive health reasons in aggressive pet female dogs. Such decisions on whether to perform surgery or not should be made with all the facts in hand since failure to remove the ovaries can increase the incidence of mammary cancer. Female dogs spayed after their second heat have a 26% higher risk of developing mammary cancer than those spayed before their first heat . References 1. Neilson JC, Eckstein RA, Hart BL. Effects of castration on problem behaviors in male dogs with reference to age and duration of behavior. JAVMA 1997;211(2):180-183. 2. Hart BL, Eckstein RA. The role of gonadal hormones in the occurrence of objectionable behaviours in dogs and cats. Appl Anim Behav Sci 1997;52:331-344. 3. Im HH, Yeon SC, Houpt KA, et al. Effects of ovariohysterectomy on reactivity in German shepherd dogs. Vet J 2006;172(1):154-159. To read more articles on pet health and behavior visit www.AskDrYin.com
 
Meredith C. Carroll: Hot and Battered over KFC Top
Earlier this month Kentucky Fried Chicken unveiled the latest addition to its menu: the Double Down. The instant classic includes slices of pepperjack and Swiss cheeses, the Colonel's secret sauce and bacon wrapped not in bread, but between two slices of boneless KFC original recipe fried chicken. At present there are no plans to add Wet-Naps moist towelettes or Pravachol as condiments. Only epicures in Rhode Island and Nebraska are privy to the Double Down at the moment, but the response has been so overwhelming that it's expected to hit KFCs nationwide shortly. With the fast-food industry one of the few that hasn't seen a nosedive in revenue during the recession, KFC's competitors are scrambling to create an answer to the Double Down in order to keep their menus relevant and exciting to cash-strapped consumers. One rival in particular is scrambling more literally than others. Popeyes, the 37-year-old Louisiana-based fried chicken chain, has long bemoaned its lack of a breakfast business because of its fears of going up against such morning food giants as IHOP and Denny's. However, its breakfast bête noire will come to a screeching halt when it debut its new a.m. menu the day after Labor Day. Instead of several items, Popeyes will only make one available before lunch. Deep fried scrambled eggs wrapped in thrice-dipped French toast with a crispy hash brown crust and a 360 degree layer of bacon prepared three ways (skillet fried, microwaved and raw) smothered in white gravy with sausage bits is expected to provide a little bit of something for everyone. Orange juice and Oreo Milk Shake-uccinos© will be the beverage selections. "All the calories you'll need in two days are in just one bite of our breakfast meal," gloated a Popeyes spokesman. "It's our way of thanking our customers and their wallets for frequenting our establishment. Oh, and our lawyers have asked me to mention that, calorically speaking, people who partake in our breakfast meal won't need to - and probably shouldn't, according to some leading cardiologists - eat anything else for at least 48 hours afterwards." With their Quad Stacker (quadruple-stacked layers of beef and cheese topped with bacon and sauce for a whopping 1,010 calories and 70 grams of fat), Burger King thought it had achieved the Holy Grail of fast food sandwiches. But to stay in the game, it will add fried butter sticks as a Side Item in all North American restaurants this fall. Available in four sizes - Small, Medium, Large and I Have an Inexplicable Pain in My Left Arm - it'll come with a choice of dipping sauces, including Pan Drippings and Surprise Me With What's At the Bottom of the Deep Fryer. Never one to let Burger King hold an uncontested spotlight, McDonald's plans to roll out a new side dish, too. Deep Fried Crisco Wedges© will not only rival Burger King's fried butter sticks, but in an apparent nod to the growing environmental movement, the containers will be edible, too (packaging will vary by location). McDonald's, which in recent years has also made efforts to promote more health-conscious dishes, has added an alternative to the caramel sauce that comes with their Apple Dippers. "If we're pairing apples with a sugary dipping sauce, then let's give kids a sugary but preservative-free alternative," McDonald's Chief Executive Jim Skinner told shareholders at the company's annual meeting last week. "Now parents can choose between apples and caramel or apples and just plain sugar for their kids. That's right. Apples straight from the tree by way of a processing plant and sugar straight from the cane. The way God and dentists intended it." Wendy's, eager to remain part of the conversation, is said to be in the final stages of adding Fried Coca-Cola to its beverage menu. (In a nod to the low caloric needs of some of their customers, Fried Diet Coca-Cola and Fried Coke Zero will not be available in the Biggie Size.) In an attempt to appeal to both the health conscious and the guilty pleasure seekers, Arby's has added more vegetables to its fare. Diners can now load up their roast beef sandwiches with fried tomatoes, fried lettuce and fried onions. "Three servings of vegetables in every meal," boasts the menu above the cash registers in their restaurants across the country. "Four, if you get fries and count the vegetable oil." And as part of their effort to continually think outside the bun, a Mexican food institution is teaming with an ice cream legend to create a new flavor. The Taco Bell Gordita Supreme Sundae is expected to be among the 31 offerings in Baskin-Robbins stores next spring. KFC hasn't commented on any of its upcoming competition other than to say it is confident the Double Down will succeed. The makers of Pravachol said they're counting on it. Meredith C. Carroll writes a weekly column for The Aspen Times, Summit Daily News and Santa Monica Daily Press.
 
Turkey, Armenia Agree To Establish Diplomatic Ties For First Time Top
ANKARA, Turkey — Armenia and Turkey agreed Monday to establish diplomat relations, overcoming a seemingly intractable rift that dates to the early 20th century and was marked by massacres of Armenians under Ottoman rule. The neighboring countries would be setting up and developing relations for the first time, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Burak Ozugergin said. It is unclear, however, if the talks will touch on the dispute over the World War I-era killings. The issue is a major stumbling block to Turkey's aspirations to join the European Union and has strained ties with the United States. Historians estimate that, in the last days of the Ottoman Empire, up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed by Ottoman Turks in what is widely regarded as the first genocide of the 20th Century. Turkey denies that the deaths constituted genocide, contending the toll has been inflated and that the casualties were victims of civil war. It says Turks also suffered losses in the hands of Armenian gangs. Turkey and Armenia also disagree about Armenian forces' control of the Arzerbaijani region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Turkey is a close ally of Azerbaijan and back Baku's claims to the region, which has a high number of ethnic Armenian residents but is located within Azerbaijan's borders. Turkey was one of the first countries to recognize Armenia's independence in 1991, but the two countries never established diplomatic relations and their joint border has been closed since 1993. Ties began to improve after a so-called soccer diplomacy campaign last year, when Turkish President Abdullah Gul attended a World Cup qualifier in Armenia. Armenia's President Serge Sarkisian has said he wants significant diplomatic progress on the reopening of their shared border before he will agree to attend a World Cup qualifying match in Turkey on Oct. 14. The Turkish Foreign Ministry said the upcoming talks, agreed to after mediation by Switzerland, should last about six weeks. Armenian political commentator Artyom Yerkanian, speaking during a special broadcast on Armenian television, suggested the agreement to establish ties could be signed at the October match in Turkey. More on Turkey
 
Rachel Sklar: Everything I Know About Cars I Learned From Everything Except Cars Top
On the Internet, everybody has an opinion about everything, but if you're smart you know when to keep your mouth shut. That was me during the "Cash For Clunkers" story, which I still don't really understand nor have any desire to. I am not a car person -- have never been, never will be. Not only do I not drive, I don't have my driver's license; there's a story there, but the upshot is that I spent my high school years an ardent environmentalist and workout junkie who wanted to save the environment, burn calories and have my boyfriends drive me around. I remember Lawrence Burger drove his mom's burgundy Oldsmobile, and I'd slide over in the middle seat next to him as we trolled the mean streets of suburban Don Mills, aka my northerly suburb of Toronto. Subsequent boyfriends with snazzier rides have never been able to compete with that feature. Like I said, I'm not a car person. But! I am a pop culture person. And car people have clearly contributed to pop culture, which is how I knew about purple French tail lights and 30-inch fins without exactly knowing what they were . It was how I knew that cars were indications of status and class differences (thank you, Bruce Springsteen and Dreamgirls ), and how I knew that people who were too obsessed with that status were probably douchebags (thank you, " Justification For Higher Education " poster). Turns out that, without knowing how to change the oil or why V-8 doesn't just pertain to vegetable juice, I knew a whole lot about cars ( even people who ain't too clever/can learn to tighten a nut forever! ). From Hot Rod to RamRod , Cadillac Assembly Line to Cadillac Ranch , Little Deuce Coupe to Little Red Corvette , here are the top 10 moments in pop culture where I learned it all. Maybe I am a car person after all — " such a thrill when your radials squeal ." Here we go: Back To The Future DeLorean DMC-12 Here's the thing about the DeLorean: The doors go up . Even a non-car nerd like myself recognized that as cool in 1985 when my beloved Alex P. Keaton migrated to the big screen to shred a little Chuck Berry and not hook up with his mother. Like me, fellow Canadian Michael J. Fox was weaned on the metric system, so 88 miles per hour may not have sounded quite as impressive as 141.622 km, but still — nice car. Grease 1948 Ford "Greased Lightning" This, for me, is the iconic car song, because it involves male bonding, cruising for chicks and very specific car knowledge all in one snazzily-choreographed package. When I first saw this movie at age 5 I was as clueless about overhead lifters and four barrel quads as I was about what, exactly, constituted a pussy wagon , but I understood that having a shiny car with lightning on the side was cool . (Similarly, I also understood that a black-clad pelvic-thrusting John Travolta was hot.) I cringed as much as the next purist to see that smooth sleek metal despoiled by Balmudo's souped-up muscle car later in the movie, but that was a minor technicality; Greased Lightning drove on bravado, brotherhood and creaming chicks. Am I wrong, or is that basically the plot of The Fast and The Furious? Lighting, lighting, lightning, lightning, lightning! Ghostbusters Ecto 1 The Ghostbuster's car wasn't what one would describe as a pussy wagon, exactly, though it did get them to Gozer's shrine where Dana awaited to lustily do the bidding of Zul, and that probably would have been enough for Bill Murray 's Dr. Venkman. It was also an excellent example of how a car can be retrofitted with special features to customize it for specific use. Obviously necessary when transporting poltergeists that slime you with green goo. >>>CONTINUED: The General Lee, KITT Hassles the Hoff, Christine's a Jealous Bitch and Julia Roberts in thigh-high boots. This post is excerpted from Mediaite.com . See here for the full post. More on Cars
 
Elaine Hopkins: Rep Hare: Here's What's Really in the Health Care Bill Top
MACOMB, IL -- Nearly 200 people squeezed into a meeting room in Macomb's City Hall on August 19th to quiz Rep. Phil Hare (D-IL) about healthcare reform. Hare said he's not afraid of taking a controversial stance on health care reform. "Nobody owns me on this issue. The insurance companies are mad at me," he said. The audience was polite and civil, and expressed gratitude that Hare was meeting with them, even though some of their questions and comments revealed their concerns and disagreements with reform. There were no large signs at the event, and no one brought guns. After presenting problems with the current health care system, Hare said House Bill 3200, the 1,000-page bill he has worked on in committee, has several components: 1. Those now receiving health insurance can keep their policies if they choose to. 2. People can enter an exchange, consisting of different private insurance providers who agree not to rule out pre-existing conditions or cancel policies due to illness or claims. 3. People can sign up for the public option, which will be similar to a standard insurance plan, but will cost only 5 percent of a person's income. For example, someone who earns $50,000 a year would pay about $220 a month. 4. The Medicare doughnut hole on prescription drugs would be closed. 5. The plan will contain coverage for mental health issues. 6. It will provide for loan forgiveness for doctors and nurses who work in rural areas. 7. Coverage will be required of all, he said. Those who refuse to buy coverage will be required to pay for their health care in full. 8. People can form cooperatives to obtain care if they want to, an amendment Hare said he sponsored. Illegal aliens will not be covered, and no federal funds will cover abortions, he also explained. Still, audience members brought up these hot button issues in questions, but Hare deflected them. In a diversion attempt, a member of the audience mentioned abortion and "killing babies" and urged Hare to vote against federal funds for Planned Parenthood. He demanded to know Hare's stand on reproductive rights for women. To applause, Hare said that he is pro-choice. Another member of the audience asked Hare whether he thought health care was a civil right. Hare said he thought it was. It became apparent that some people are fearful that the changes will diminish their coverage or the system itself. But Hare argued that in the his home district 99.5 percent of the people will pay less for coverage. He said 82,000 people in his congressional district without coverage will get it under this plan, if it is passed by Congress.
 
Dan Mirvish: Source of Sarah Palin's $150,000 w\Wardrobe Comes Clean? Top
In a classic case of burying the lead, a newly posted promo for a campaign tell-all book has a bombshell buried deep within. Remember Sarah Palin's infamous $150,000 wardrobe from last year's campaign? The mystery was never solved as to who actually bought her the clothes. Turns out,Martin Eisenstadt is claiming to be the one who bought the wardrobe. Eisenstadt, you may remember, is the very same disgraced former McCain adviser who also admitted to being the source of the FoxNews story that Sarah Palin thought Africa was a country, and not so much a continent. You may recall that when the story of Palin's wardrobe excess broke last year , it was only noticed by careful examination of FEC reports by the RNC. Most of the receipts were submitted by political consultant Jeff Larson , but Larson always demurred when asked details about the shopping sprees at the Minneapolis Neiman Marcus and elsewhere. McCain senior campaign adviser Nicolle Wallace angrily denounced Fred Barnes when he accused her of being behind the profligate wardrobe. Barnes subsequently apologized and admitted he was wrong to accuse Wallace: "I was rough on Nicole Wallace of the McCain campaign, who was identified as the one responsible for getting the expensive clothes for Sarah Palin and being cowardly and not admitting she was the one. Well, it turns out I was wrong, I discovered. I apologize for my mistake and apologize particularly to Nicole Wallace." To date, there has never been a full reckoning of what exactly happened at Neiman Marcus, whose idea it was to buy the clothes, who fronted the money, and who thought it would be a good idea to turn in receipts to the GOP knowing that they would come to light before the election. But now, perhaps, the first clue comes at minute 1:40 in this otherwise self-serving book promo for Martin Eisenstadt, where he says point blank, "I bought the Sarah Palin wardrobe" and there is a picture of him in front of Neiman Marcus. So if we can believe that a. there is a book (which some commenters are starting to wonder), and b. that the book is indeed being published by the prestigious Farrar, Straus, Giroux (home to 21 Nobel laureates and an equal number of Pulitzer winners), and c. that it is indeed coming out on Nov. 3 around the anniversary of the election d. that the book is anything other than an amusing, but fictional, must-read political-satire Then this would mean that this is the first comprehensive post-election book to come out about Sarah Palin. Her own book comes out next spring, and it will be interesting to see if and to what extent she refutes Eisenstadt. [Full disclosure: There are those who would argue that I am actually one of the co-creators of "Martin Eisenstadt" and co-author of his upcoming book. Eisenstadt, though, has always disputed this point.] More on Sarah Palin
 
Len Berman: Top 5 Sports Stories Top
1. Quick Hits The U.S. Open begins its two week run today in Flushing Meadows. Heath Slocum wins the Barclays golf in Jersey City at 9-under par. Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington and Steve Stricker finish one shot back. Chula Vista California wins the Little League World Series beating Taiwan 6-3. Minor league baseball players will wear safer helmets next season, able to withstand 100 mph fastballs. Some major leaguers think the helmet is too bulky. Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi is announcing his retirement today. The 3-time Super Bowl Champion overcame a stroke to return to football. 2. Bern Baby Bern The shadow of Bernie Madoff will continue to be long and arduous. Fred Wilpon went public this weekend to deny assertions in a new book that he'll have to sell the Mets because of the Madoff mess. His denials over the "Madoff effect" have been loud and consistent. Of course fans, being fans, and the media being the media, will read Madoff into every Mets financial move. The cliched truth is, only time will tell. But given Fred Wilpon's reputation we should take him at face value until he proves otherwise. 3. Andre the Giant They say "you never get a second chance to make a first impression." Not true. Andre Agassi burst on the scene with his vapid "image is everything campaign." Years later, he's a serious family man devoted to "giving back." It's fitting he'll be honored tonight at the U.S. Open. He once told me he regrets the whole "image thing." I'm sure he does. Few people in the public eye get mulligans. But if I can mix metaphors, he took his mulligan and hit it out of the park. 4. Grouching Tiger Tiger Woods snubbed the media two days in a row at the Barclays. In any other sport he'd be "punished." Remember LeBron James? Not in golf. Tiger runs the show. The inmate runs the asylum. Message to Tiger: You are not stiffing the media, you are stiffing your fans. Although keep up the petulance and you'll have fewer of them by the day. 5. Live From New York Andrew Giuliani, Rudy's kid, turned pro this year in golf. The other day he won his first tournament, the Met Open Championship at Ridgewood Country Club. People still think of Andrew as that precocious kid mimicked by the late Chris Farley on Saturday Night Live. I played golf with Andrew a couple of years back. Great golfer, obviously. More important, a really nice young man. Good going kid. Happy Birthday : Some Giants coaches. Current Giants coach Tom. Coughlin. 63. And the man he replaced, Jim Fassel. 60. Bonus Birthday: Actor Richard Gere. 60. Today in Sport s: Undefeated Heavyweight Champion Rocky Marciano dies in an airplane crash. 40 years ago today. 1969. Bonus Event: Another tragedy. The passing of Princess Diana. 1997.
 
Chris Prevatt: Schwarzenegger Sets Trap for Obama's "Race to the Top" Education Initiative Top
In the 1985 action film, Commando , Arnold Schwarzenegger plays John Matrix, a commando who uses a little humor when taking revenge on the bad guys, "Remember when I said I'd kill you last... I lied!" Though this is a forgettable little line, President Obama should pay attention to it because he is about to be played by someone who really believes he is an action hero. I first wrote about Arnold Schwarzenegger's plans for education in California in my August 16, 2009 article " The Shock Doctrine hits Public Education ". On August 20, Governor Schwarzenegger called on California's legislators to adopt sweeping education reforms that would dramatically reshape the beleaguered public education system and qualify the state for billions of one time monies which President Obama, has dubbed " Race to the Top ." A smiling governor, flanked by jubilant education advisors said, "I want to congratulate President Obama for standing up for education reform. I absolutely agree with the four basic education principles he outlined today, including the need for data systems that allow us to measure student and teacher success by the results they achieve." U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in a separate interview praised Schwarzenegger's moves as "courageous" and said they could transform the state into a national model for reform. "This is a very significant step that absolutely has national implications," Duncan said. "The eyes of the country are going to be on California." Perhaps Mr. Duncan should focus his eyes instead on the governor and his education team because one of Schwarzenegger's leading point men is Jim Lanich, the former executive director of the California Business for Education Excellence (CBEE). CBEE is closely affiliated with the far right wing Pacific Research Institute (PRI) and lists PRI on its website as a partner. PRI's lead education researcher is Lance Izumi, a staunch pro-voucher advocate and Lanich collaborator, who also happens to be the governor's appointee as president of the board of governors for California community college system, the largest public college system in the nation. Izumi, with generous support from the PRI, has just produced a "documentary" titled, Not as Good as You Think , which is about how middle class public schools are ripping good tax-paying parents off because these schools are beholden to "special interests" i.e. the teachers and overpaid administrators. Dr. Izumi launched the documentary at the Heritage Foundation in Washington and is currently on a national tour with a featured figure in the film, Mr. Jorge Lopez, who was recently appointed by the governor to the state board of education. Mr. Lopez runs a charter school in Oakland and stated in a posting for teachers that "multiculturalists and liberals need not apply at" the school. He has also asserted that his (poor) students do not need any free lunches "because they are already obese." One wonders if Mr. Duncan knows the extent of PRI influence in California's education infrastructure because folks like these will control how the billions of k-2 and community college funds are allocated. But if that weren't bad enough, the PRI is actively undermining President Obama's domestic agenda from health care, to climate change initiatives, to immigration reform. The president of PRI is Sally Pipes , a frequent health care "expert" on Fox news who loves to amplify the right's 'Health Reform Will Kill You' narrative. Moreover in 2007, the PRI produced a "documentary" response to Al Gore's Academy Award winning "Inconvenient Truth." PRI's shameless "An Inconvenient Truth or Convenient Fiction" attempts to show that global warming is not man made and that the environmentalists are scaring us so the socialist bureaucrats can take control. These anti-government, laissez faire, pro-mega business positions should not be surprising given PRI's primary funders who represent a murderers' row of corporate bad citizens: Exxon Mobile, Atira (Philip Morris), Pfhizer, PhRMA , and Chevron. But if President Obama's Education Secretary continues to blindly tout governors like California's who has positioned right wing, government hating wing-nuts to control federal purse strings, it will truly be "Hasta la vista, baby" for the rest of us and our children. There is little doubt if the PRI and their minions have their way; their next move will be to help answer Obama's call for national education content standards. Can you imagine little Johnny or Suzy reading "Global Warming Greek Myths" or "The Taking Tree"? If it comes to that I would much rather have class with the Predator. Cross-posted from The Liberal OC Chris Prevatt is Publisher/Senior Editor of TheLiberalOC.com , a Liberal/Progressive political blog based in Orange County, California. More on Barack Obama
 
Michelle Obama's Vineyard Outfits: Which Did She Wear Best? (PHOTOS, POLL) Top
The Obamas' vacation came to an end on Sunday after a week of outings, eating, and off-the-radar relaxation. But the sartorial pressure was on for Michelle to dress the part of first lady on holiday. She packed her favorite summery striped dresses, her madras shorts, and an array of flat footwear. Which of her outfits were extra baggage and should have been left at the White House? And which were Vineyard vogue? Follow HuffPost Style on Twitter and become a fan of HuffPost Style on Facebook ! More on Michelle Obama Style
 
Farmers' Almanac Predicts "Numbing Cold" This Winter Top
LEWISTON, Maine — Americans, you might want to check on their sweaters and shovels – the Farmers' Almanac is predicting a cold winter for many of you. The venerable almanac's 2010 edition, which goes on sale Tuesday, says numbing cold will predominate in the country's midsection, from the Rocky Mountains in the West to the Appalachians in the East. Managing Editor Sandi Duncan says it's going to be an "ice cold sandwich." "We feel the middle part of the country's really going to be cold – very, very cold, very, very frigid, with a lot of snow," she said. "On the East and West coasts, it's going to be a little milder. Not to say it's going to be a mild short winter, but it'll be milder compared to the middle of the country." The almanac, which has been published since 1818, issues annual forecasts using a formula based on sunspots, planetary positions and the effects of the moon. This winter, the 200-page publication says it'll be cool and snowy in the Northeast, bitterly cold and dry in the Great Lakes states, and cold and snowy across the North Central states. It says the Northwest will be cool with average precipitation, the Southwest will be mild and dry, the South Central states will be cold and wet, and the Southeast will be mild and dry. The almanac's forecast, however, is at odds with the National Weather Service, which is calling for warmer-than-normal temperatures across much of the country because of an El Nino system in the tropical Pacific Ocean, said Mike Halpert, deputy director of the NOAA Climate Prediction Center in Camp Springs, Md. "The stronger El Nino becomes, the more confident and the more likely it will be the northern part of the country will have a milder-than-average winter," Halpert said. The almanac and the Weather Service agree on their predictions of warmer-than-usual conditions across much of the country next summer. The Farmers' Almanac, not to be confused with the New Hampshire-based Old Farmer's Almanac, has a circulation of about 3.5 million. ___ On the Net: Farmers' Almanac: http://www.farmersalmanac.com/
 
Cheney Still Manipulating People -- Now In Public Top
When he was vice president, Dick Cheney got his way by secretly wielding the instruments of power. Now that he's no longer in government, Cheney is still pulling levers and pushing button - he's just doing it in plain view. And it's the media that he's manipulating. After years of speaking in whispers, operating by proxy, and leaving as few fingerprints as possible, Cheney has figured out that he can say pretty much anything he wants, the networks will show it on TV, and the newspapers will dutifully print it. And best of all, they will fail to put it in any context whatsoever. The first bit of context for any Cheney comment, of course, is that he is a monstrous liar. News articles about Cheney should routinely reminded readers of some of the things he said in the run-up to war in Iraq. Like, for instance: " Simply stated, there is no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons of mass destruction. " By any reasonable standard, this man's credibility was shot a long time ago. Cheney's latest coup is to get the media to obediently recount what Rachel L. Swarns of the New York Times so naively and euphemistically called his "forceful defense of the full range of interrogation techniques used by intelligence officers." In an interview with beyond-obsequious Fox News anchor Chris Wallace that aired on Sunday, Cheney once again alleged that what he calls "enhanced interrogation tactics" saved "thousands of lives and let us defeat all further attacks against the United States." It wouldn't have been hard for reporters to put that particular claim in its proper context. Just last week, the CIA released two documents that Cheney had been huffing and puffing (and bluffing) about for months, insisting that they would once and for all definitively prove that torture had, as he put it , "prevented the violent death of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of innocent people." But just as us critics expected, when those reports were released, they included no such proof -- just a lot of cover-your-ass language from the CIA, vaguely describing intelligence findings gained from the overall interrogation of "high value detainees" generally speaking. There was no evidence that a single American life was saved, or of any valuable intelligence that couldn't have been gathered using traditional methods. In fact, after all these years, and despite a slew of selective leaks while Cheney was still in power, there remains not one iota of proof that torture accomplished much of anything -- not that it would be OK if it had. All we know for sure is that torture is still excellent at producing false confessions , just like it was designed to do. Cheney also criticized Attorney General Eric Holder's decision to launch an extremely limited preliminary review into whether crimes were committed by the handful of interrogators who far exceeded even the Bush DOJ's patently illegal guidelines. Last week, I called this At Best, A Baby Step Toward Justice For Bush's Torturers . But Cheney, in his Fox interview, said the review "offends the hell out of me, frankly." He explained: "[W]e had a track record now of eight years of defending the nation against any further mass casualty attacks from Al Qaeda. The approach of the Obama administration should be to come to those people who were involved in that policy and say, how did you do it? What were the keys to keeping this country safe over that period of time? " Any normal person -- or reasonable journalist -- would gasp at Cheney's spectacular gall, and marvel at his absolutism. (He even went so far as to say that the conduct being investigated, which includes threatening detainees with a drill, a gun, and the rape of family members to be "OK" by him.) But instead, the coverage was restrained, if not respectful. And Cheney lied some more, in case anyone was looking for fresh evidence of his mendacity. Asked how much he knew about what the CIA was doing, Cheney replied: "I knew about the waterboarding. Not specifically in any one particular case, but as a general policy that we had approved." This is a laughably blatant falsehood from the man who was, by many reliable accounts, the chief choreographer of the program, up to his elbows in gory details. As ABC News reported in April 2008, for instance, top Bush aides including Cheney met in the White House basement to micromanage the application of waterboarding and other torture techniques starting immediately after the CIA captured Abu Zubaydah , the low-level al Qaeda operative whose false confessions sent hundreds of CIA and FBI investigators chasing after imaginary threats. ABC reported that the CIA briefed the White House group on its plans to use aggressive techniques against Zubaydah and received explicit approval. Indeed, some interrogation sessions were virtually choreographed by the group. And as blogger Marcy Wheeler points out, Cheney also mischaracterized what President Obama has previously said about who might or might not be prosecuted. So what is Cheney's goal in all of this? I think Obsidian Wings blogger publius nails a big chunk of it, writing: [H]e wants to politicize the torture debate as much as possible -- to transform a profound debate about our country's values into just another everyday Republican/Democratic partisan squabble that makes people throw up their hands and despair of knowing "the truth." If you've noticed, Cheney tends to pop up in the aftermath of damning evidence. We just (re)learned, for instance, that our CIA agents murdered detainees, choked them, and threatened to rape their wives. Normally, you would think these revelations would give pause to even the most ardent Cheney supporters. But then Cheney comes along, and tries to reframe the whole story. His intended audience isn't the nation as a whole, but conservatives . He wants to make sure that they view these stories through partisan-tinted lenses. Indeed, muddying the debate was one of the most effective Bush-era communication tactics. But Cheney has some other obvious motives, as well. As I wrote in May , there's also the small matter of his understandably strong desire to avoid investigation or prosecution -- and ignominy in the history books. After all, the best defense is a good offense. Meanwhile, Cheney is still operating in the shadows, as well. Indeed, it's impossible not to see him (by proxy) behind what must have been, for him, an extraordinary coup: A front-page Washington Post story on Saturday chock full of anonymous sources implicitly validating his view of torture as a great tongue-loosener, despite the lack of any supporting evidence - and with nothing said about all the lies they uttered while being tortured. Get HuffPost Politics On Facebook and Twitter! More on Dick Cheney
 
Marshall Goldsmith: The Man Who Taught Me About Quality Top
As an executive coach, I have a unique compensation system -- I only get paid if my clients get better. "Better" means my clients achieve positive, measurable change in behavior, not as judged by themselves but by their key stakeholders. This process usually takes about 18 months and involves an average of 16 stakeholders. My coaching approach has been described in several major publications, such as Forbes and The New Yorker . I have been asked many times where I came up with this "pay only for results" idea. The answer is from Dennis Mudd, who was my boss 46 years ago. Growing up in Valley Station, KY, my family was relatively poor. Dad operated a small, two-pump gas station. The roof on our home was very old and starting to leak badly. We had no choice but to get a new roof, although this would be a painful expenditure for us. Dad hired Dennis Mudd to put on the roof. In order for us to save some money, I worked as his assistant. Putting on a roof in the middle of the summer in Kentucky is incredibly hard work. I never have done another job (before or since) that required this degree of physical exertion. I was amazed at the care Mr. Mudd put into the laying of the shingles. He was patient with me as I made mistakes and helped me learn how to do the job right. After a while, my attitude toward this project changed from "grudging acceptance" to "pride in a job well done." In spite of the heat and pain, I looked forward to working with Mr. Mudd every day. When the project was finally over, I thought the roof looked great. When Mr. Mudd presented my Dad with the invoice for our work, he said quietly, "Bill, please take your time and inspect our work. If you feel that this roof meets your standards, pay us. If not, there is no charge for our work." It was very obvious he was very serious in his request. Dad carefully looked at the roof, thanked both of us for a job well done and then paid Mr. Mudd, who then paid me for my help. I will never forget watching Mudd when he asked Dad to only pay for results. He wasn't kidding -- he was dead serious, and my respect for Mudd skyrocketed. I was only 14 years old, but I will never forget this event. I knew the Mudd family. They didn't have any more money that we did. I thought, "Mr. Mudd may not be rich, but he is not cheap. This guy has class. When I grow up, I want to be like Dennis Mudd." Although I have received many honors for my work, I doubt I will ever match the dedication to quality and the integrity Mr. Mudd showed. In the past 32 years, I have not gotten paid on a few assignments and have never asked for money I felt was undeserved. Financially, how much has this hurt me? At the time, it caused me some pain and embarrassment, but I knew I was still going to have a very prosperous life. How much would not getting paid have hurt Mr. Mudd? A lot. Not paying him would have meant that his family would not be eating very well for the next couple of months. This sacrifice didn't matter, though. His pride and integrity were more important than money. Mr. Mudd never gave any pep talks about quality or values. He didn't use any fancy buzzwords such as "empowerment" or "customer delight." He didn't have to -- his actions communicated his values better than any buzzwords he might have used. We can all learn a lot from this man. The next time you are working on a project, ask yourself, "What would happen to my level of commitment if I knew that I was only going to be paid if I achieved results?" How would your behavior change? Mr. Mudd taught me a lesson I will try to live up to for the rest of my life. What is important is not how much he impressed me. What is much more important is that he could look with pride at the person he saw in the mirror every day.
 
Ellen Kanner: Meatless Monday: Salvation Is Closer Than You Think Top
"The harvest is past, the summer is over, and yet we are not saved." Jeremiah 8:20. Don't let this be you. While seasonal despair can take hold as the calender flips from August to September, there is balm in Gilead. We're still reaping the pleasure of summer's harvest, so don't let time and green market goodies slip through your fingers. Salvation can happen, but some of it has to come from you. If preserving food seems impossibly quaint, we once did it as a matter of course, not in Biblical times but less than a century ago. If it's any comfort, it was just as challenging then. The food shortages of the Depression and World War II compelled Americans to grow produce at home and struggle with preservation techniques like canning and drying. Three generations years ago, making use of what's at hand and what's in season was heralded as patriotic. Now it's green. Call it what you will, it's worth doing. It saves money, saves food, and doing it now means saving all the sweet flavors of summer. And we have an advantage our grandparents didn't have. It's called a freezer. Make the most of what's in season, including that dynamic African duo, okra and black eyed peas (the legume, not the band). Okra and black eyed peas were born to thrive when it's hot and can also survive the freezer. Cooking up a big pot of black eyed pea and okra stew means enjoying bright summer flavors now and long after your summer tan has faded. Freeze the leftovers then pull your ready-made meal out some miserable night in October when the idea of cooking reduces you to tears. Black eyed peas, also known as cow peas, are as cute and curvy as BEP's Fergie. Tan with a stylish black speck or eye, they've got all the beany basics going and are a great source for protein, fiber and iron. Okra is rightly beloved in Africa and other sultry-climed places including India, where they call it ladies' fingers. Here, it needs better p.r. The truth is, a bit of acid (lemon juice or vinegar) turns okra tender, with no slime factor. It's rich in folate, fiber and vitamin A, and though it lacks the same glam factor, it's kin to another hot-weather thriver, hibiscus. You can honor Africa's edible exports and its foodways, too. African culinary heritage relies on vegetables more than meat and tilts towards local rather than global. Warming spices including coriander, cumin and cinnamon transform cheap, local, simple ingredients into something greater than the sum of their parts, resulting in a meal as sumptuous and sensual as as day in the sun. Speaking of which, you can put this stew together in stages over a couple of days and never miss a moment of beach time. Preserving the abundant produce of summer is American, it's economical, it's delicious, it's green, it's meatless, it's dinner. Hallelujah. Salvation BEP and Okra Stew 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 onions 2 bay leaves 3 whole cloves garlic a few whole peppercorns 4 garlic cloves, chopped 1/2 habanero pepper, also known as scotch bonnet (or 1/2 jalapeno, for milder spice) 15-ounce can chopped or diced tomatoes 4 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated 1 tablespoon cumin, 1 tablespoon coriander 1 tablespoon turmeric 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 cup black eyed peas, fresh or dried 1/2 pound okra (about 3 cups) 1 cup water or vegetable broth 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped 2 lemons sea salt and pepper to taste To make black eyed peas, pour peas into a large bowl. Cover with water. Soak 8 hours or preferably overnight. When ready to cook, drain and rinse. Fill large stock pot halfway with water. Bring to boil. Pour in black eyed peas. Add whole garlic cloves, peppercorns and bay leaves. When beans return to boil, cover, reduce to simmer and cook until just tender, an hour to an hour and a half (fresh peas, ironically, may require longer cooking time than dried). Drain black eyed peas, discard garlic cloves, bay leaves and peppercorns. Black eyed peas may be prepared ahead a day or two up to this point and refrigerated. To proceed -- heat oil in a large stock pot over medium-high heat. Add chopped garlic, onions and pepper. Stir. Reduce heat to medium and stir until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. Add ginger, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon and coriander, and cook, stirring, for another few minutes, until fragrant. Wash okra and pat dry. Discard pods that are other than green and firm yet yielding to pressure. Chop okra into bite-sized pieces. Squeeze the juice of one lemon over okra, toss to coat, then add okra to the pot of sauteed vegetables. Stir and cook for a few more minutes. Add canned tomatoes and water or broth. Stir in black eyed peas. Raise heat to high and bring to a boil. Cover pot, reduce to simmer and let it go for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring occssionally. Squeeze in the remaining lemon. Season with sea salt and pepper to taste and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro. Serves 6 to 8. Keeps refrigerated for up to a week and the flavor improves over time. Stored into a freezer-friendly container, it keeps in the freezer indefinitely.
 
Vicki Kennedy Not Interested In Senate Seat: Stephanopoulos Top
The trial balloon launched yesterday by Kennedy friends Chris Dodd and Orrin Hatch isn't going anywhere. A solid source assures me that Vicki Kennedy won't run in a special election to fill the Massachusetts Senate seat. She's not interested in an interim appointment if it becomes available. More on Ted Kennedy
 
Gangaji: Why Emotional Pain Doesn't Have to Lead to Suffering Top
Physical feelings of pain are familiar signals to us all. In general we note the discomfort and naturally make attempts to correct the cause. This is our innate intelligence at work. And when the pain is simple, and simple corrections are made, all is well. The sensation of pain is forgotten until the next time it is needed. Emotional pains are usually not simple, and when they grow into emotional suffering, they can influence the entire worldview of their host. We either know directly from our own experience or through our empathy with others' experience that some really terrible things happen to hurt people emotionally. Unjust things done to innocent people. Things we cannot in good conscience blithely dismiss as "perfect." It is natural that a story arises with emotional pain. There is usually an event or a person that "causes" the pain. It may be initially important to tell the story and learn the lessons, or take whatever action is appropriate. Quite often that event or person also echoes earlier versions of emotional pain with similar stories. As legitimate as the story (or stories) may be, when they are played and replayed in the thought process, emotional pain grows into emotional suffering. The pain then becomes a signal of all that has gone or could go wrong, rather than a simple signal for correction. And yet when emotional pain is met without the inevitable story that arises with it, it too disappears from memory in the same way simple physical pain does. Often we believe that to stop retelling the story of emotional pain is to somehow be disloyal to ourselves. We feel that in staying true to the story of our hurts we are being true to ourselves! Because of this (false) ideal of self-loyalty, we then begin to define ourselves by our emotional pain. To define yourself by your emotional pain is to suffer unnecessarily. Pain that is met consciously does not grow into suffering. To suffer we need time and a continuing story. "My mother...." "He or she or they...." "I am or am not..." To continue the story guarantees the birth and continuance of suffering, and the avoidance of the pure feeling underneath all internal dialogue. The "correction" for emotional pain may initially feel counterintuitive. Rather than moving away from the pain, we must meet emotional pain directly and intimately. It is an intimate meeting. Only you and your pain are present. And that requires that all other characters in your story of causes and betrayals and injustices be temporarily erased. It requires the intimacy of becoming one with the pain. Not in an indulgent, dramatic version of "Me Being One With The Pain," but a simple and sober quiet merger of attention into the sensation of pain. Where do you feel the hurt? If you let your full attention fall into that area, leaving behind any part of any story about what caused it, even leaving the names pain and hurt behind, you discover pure energy. When we don't judge this energy, even if it feels uncomfortable or worse, we can get even closer. We can get so close that we are actually one with it. And we can stop there. We can simply be there, in the spaciousness of the endless open mind. The challenge then is to give up the identity of the one who was or is being hurt. That giving up only requires us to stop retelling the story of how we were hurt, who hurt us, how badly it hurts, why it shouldn't have happened, and on and on and on. In simply refusing to tell that story again, you have the immediate opportunity to meet directly the pain underneath the story. That's all that is needed for the suffering to be finished! If the emotional suffering reappears, there is some story attached to it. Again, you have the choice to release the story and intimately meet the pain. Pain that is unmet becomes suffering. Pain that is met is not pain. Please see for yourself and let me know! Gangaji will be in Boston for a public meeting September 12th, and in Woodstock for a public meeting September 14 . She will hold a seven day retreat at Garrison Institute, NY , beginning September 16th. Read more about Gangaji's events and catalog of books and videos online. More on Happiness
 
Carrie Prejean Sues Pageant For Religious Discrimination Top
Carrie Prejean is finally firing back at the people behind Miss California USA with a lawsuit -- claiming Shanna Moakler and other pageant officials forced her out because of her religious beliefs. Prejean just filed the suit in L.A. County Superior Court, accusing Moakler and pageant honcho Keith Lewis of religious discrimination, defamation, public disclosure of private facts, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent infliction of emotional distress. More on Miss California
 
The Next Chanel Iman? Top Ten Models To Watch During Fashion Week Top
Each season, a new crop of girls (and guys) comes strutting down the runways. But which ones will be the breakout stars? We found the season's top ten guys and girls, all of whom you'll be seeing plenty of come fashion week. And some of these could very well be the next Chanel Iman or Agyness Deyn. Hedge your bets now.
 
Sameer Dossani: Human Rights Missing from Health Care Debate Top
Though Alyce Driver worked three jobs, none of them provided health insurance. Regular teeth cleaning and yearly physicals for her five children were a luxury she could not afford. One day her twelve-year-old son Deamonte complained of a headache. Seven weeks later, Deamonte was dead. The diagnosis? An abscessed tooth. While death from tooth decay may have been common in the middle ages, this was 2007. And while one certainly still hears of such things in some of the more underserved areas of Africa, Asia and Latin America, this was in the capital of the richest country on earth. Deamonte's story and those of thousands like him who die every year from preventable disease in the United States underscores what's wrong with the current health care debate. We should be concerned -- appalled -- that this can happen in our country. But instead of asking ourselves how to right this wrong, we seem to have let the health care debate become about anything but health care. This country's founders believed that every human being was endowed with certain inalienable rights -- the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In the last century, the global community, led by the efforts of the United States and individuals like Eleanor Roosevelt, spelled those rights out. Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that "everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including... medical care...." Health care is a human right. Like freedom from torture and ill treatment, equality before the law, and education, health care is something that all of us are entitled to by virtue of being human. But one would never know that by following the headlines in today's health care debate. We are preoccupied with questions of cost when it comes to universal coverage, but not when it comes to asking critical questions about an industry that maximizes its profits by denying care. Few are asking the most fundamental question: How can our health care system be overhauled so that it fulfills the human right to health care? Answering this question is a moral imperative, one that requires us to prioritize principles such as universality, equity and accountability. Americans don't argue that our elections or judicial system are un-American or negotiable because these processes require government involvement and investment to ensure that they function properly and are accessible to all. And while those seeking to undermine reform rally around cries of "government-run medicine," our nation's experience shows such slogans to be both inaccurate and misleading. Publicly-financed health care already exists in Medicare; publicly-operated health care is provided through the VA (with some of the highest patient satisfaction ratings among all health care delivered in the United States); and the postal service, schools, police departments, and fire departments are all "government-run" -- and we wouldn't want to do without them. America needs a health care system that is equitable and fair. Too many of us suffer from disparities in accessibility and quality of care. For example, there is less than one doctor for every one thousand residents in Appalachia, and black women are more than three times more likely to die in pregnancy or childbirth as white women. And even for those who have insurance coverage, studies show that we may be just a medical crisis away from financial ruin. These types of imbalances are contrary to the American ideals of equality and fairness, which demand a health care system that does not discriminate against those who need it most. The human right to health care requires that government be accountable for fulfilling that right. Health care is a public good, not a commodity and a healthy society benefits all of us. The government has a duty to ensure that the right to health care is being met; it does not have an obligation to provide private sector insurers and middlemen with increasing profits, as the current Wall Street driven model dictates. Through public financing and administration of health care we can minimize the profit incentives to deny care and instead guarantee access to quality care for all. In his latest weekly address, President Obama recognized that health care is a "core ethical and moral obligation" in a move that may signal a shift in the administration's messaging back to core human rights principles. Unfortunately, even the best of the health care plans on the table in Congress falls short of this lofty rhetoric. Low-income people would still have to pay up to 12% of their income for private insurance premiums, plus deductibles and co-pays. Middle-income families would get no support at all, yet not buying an insurance policy would be against the law. And millions of people would still be uninsured. We -- and our elected leaders -- can do better. We live in a broken system, one where a fatal toothache serves as a dire reminder of how too many Americans not only lack insurance, but lack comprehensive coverage that provides easily-accessible and quality health care. Regulation and tinkering would no doubt make some marginal improvements to our failed system, but we don't need tinkering. We need a game changer. We need a publicly run, publicly accountable, Medicare-like plan that would put the power back in the hands of those whose human rights and very lives are at stake - people like Deamonte Driver. More on Health Care
 
William Jefferson Files For Bankruptcy Top
NEW ORLEANS — A former Louisiana congressman convicted of corruption after federal agents found cash in his freezer has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation. The bankruptcy petition filed last week by former Rep. William Jefferson and his wife, Andrea, says they owe between $1 million and $10 million to fewer than 50 creditors. The filing also lists their estimated assets as ranging between $1 million and $10 million. In Chapter 7 liquidation, a debtor's property is sold and proceeds are distributed to creditors. Some property may be exempted from the sale. Jefferson was convicted Aug. 5 on 11 of 16 federal counts for using his influence to broker business deals in Africa. A jury in Virginia also ruled Jefferson must forfeit roughly $470,000 in bribery receipts. More on Bankruptcy
 
World In Photos: August 31, 2009 Top
Here is our selection of photos of today's news and events from every corner of the globe. Check back Monday through Friday for this HuffPost World feature. Get HuffPost World On Facebook and Twitter!
 
Brendan DeMelle: Bonner & Associates Never Contacted Rep. Perriello and Several Charities Defrauded In Forged Letter Scandal Top
In the wake of the forged letters scandal involving lobbyists for the coal industry, D.C. astroturf firm Bonner & Associates claimed to have reached out to Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA) and several Virginia charities whose names appeared on the fraudulent letters.  It turns out that Bonner never contacted Rep. Perriello or at least three of the groups it claimed to have informed about the letter forgery episode.  Bonner & Associates’ attorney Steven R. Ross of Akin Gump wrote in an August 12 letter to the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming that Bonner took immediate action in late June once it learned of the scandal, which it has blamed on a rogue temporary employee .  Ross stated in the letter that Bonner left messages with Perriello’s office on July 1st and that “on July 13, B&A staff succeeded in directly speaking with congressional staff for Rep. Perriello.” But the Charlottesville Daily Progress reports that Rep. Perriello’s press secretary, Jessica Barba, has confirmed that Bonner & Associates never contacted Perriello’s office.  “I asked everybody in our office, did anybody hear anything from them about this?” Barba said. “They hadn’t. Nobody in our office ever talked to them.” Several of the charities on whose behalf the phony letters were sent have also taken issue with Bonner’s claim.  Ross wrote in the letter to Congressional investigators looking into the forgeries that, “B&A personally contacted each of the eight organizations that were defrauded.” But Rick Turner, president of the Albemarle-Charlottesville chapter of the NAACP, “said he has never once heard from Bonner & Associates,” the paper reports .  Likewise, the Jefferson Area Board for Aging “never heard from them,” and Bonner did not notify Senior Center Inc. that their group was a target of the forgeries either. The Hawthorn Group, a Beltway public relations firm retained by the coal industry front group American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, hired Bonner & Associates to pressure lawmakers in key districts not to vote for the Waxman-Markey climate and energy legislation which passed the House by a slim margin on June 26th.  Bonner’s attorney claimed in the letter to Congressional investigators that a temporary employee forged at least a dozen letters claming to represent opposition to the legislation from senior citizens’, women’s, black and Hispanic groups. Bonner says that it immediately fired the employee after the fake letters were discovered, although the employee’s identity remains a mystery.  “He does exist, but Jack feels it is not appropriate to reveal his identity,” a spokesman for Jack Bonner, the firm’s founder, told the Daily Progress. Despite learning of the forgeries days ahead of the critical House vote, Bonner did not reach the three Democratic lawmakers who received the fake letters until long after the vote, and apparently never reached Rep. Perriello or Rep. Christopher Carney.  Congress is investigating whether the letter forgery scandal crossed ethical or legal lines.  That investigation should be thorough and swift in order to clear the path for honest debate when the Senate returns to deliberate the bill. This latest evidence of insincerity and misinformation adds to a growing heap of scandals plaguing the coal industry’s attempts to weaken action on climate and energy security.  Coal pushers have waged an extensive (and expensive) campaign to attack efforts to regulate their global warming emissions and move America away from fossil fuels toward a clean energy future.  Perhaps realizing that their efforts to paint the industry’s product as “clean coal” are failing, coal front groups have grown increasingly desperate.  Joining ACCCE/Hawthorn/Bonner in the category of insincere ‘grassroots’ is FACES, a new coal front group crafted by K Street firm Adfero , ostensibly to show that ‘real people’ support coal.  Appalachian Voices discovered last week that pictures of the ‘real people’ featured on the FACES website are all iStock Photo images .  Oops. With scandalous tactics like these, the coal industry’s front groups have marginalized themselves in the important debate on the future of America’s energy and climate security.  They have betrayed ‘real people’ with their fake letters, stock photos, and misleading outreach to elderly and veterans' groups . It is time for Congress to address the loopholes in the Lobby Disclosure Act through which these astroturf groups are able to operate in the dark.
 
Alan Lurie: Four Ways to Find Fulfillment at Work Top
Recently I met with a young man who was struggling at his job. A mutual friend recommended that I speak with him to see if I could provide any guidance. The young man told me that he dreaded getting up every morning to go to work, and that he came home every evening drained and exhausted. "What do you think I should do?" he asked. "I want to feel better about my job, but don't know what to do. Frankly, I'm not particularly spiritual, and am just looking for practical advice." This young man is not alone in his perception of his job as drudgery. Many people strive for success and admiration at work and pour energy in to the promise of their careers, but somewhere along the way find that the anticipated rewards either do not materialize, or do not provide the happiness that they had hoped for, leaving them feeling stuck, trapped, bored, frustrated, drained, duped or depressed. I know this, because at times in my career I've also experienced all these feelings. Here's what I've learned, and what I told the young man: First, you need to objectively identify why you are so unhappy at your work. There can be several categorical reasons: 1. Your type of work: Perhaps you are in a field that you find inherently unsatisfying, or you feel called to a different type of career. Maybe you are a lawyer, yet yearn to be an artist; or you are an artist but are drawn to business; or you work at a large company but dream of being an entrepreneur. 2. Your work environment: Maybe you are dissatisfied with your company, and experience your boss as abusive or insensitive, or are in conflict with your co-workers, or find your corporate culture demeaning, or feel undervalued and not listened to. 3. Your personal situation: Are you unmotivated because the time demands of your job have hurt your relationships with your family, friends, and community, leaving you feeling exhausted, resentful, and unbalanced in your life? 4. Your attitude : Hovering over all these reasons is your attitude. Do you look for problems and faults, or do you see possibilities for growth? Do you view people as threats and competitors, or do you see others as fellow human beings who share the same struggles and desires as you do? Let's look at ways to address each of these reasons: 1. Many people I speak with tell me that their jobs are not fulfilling, but can't identify alternatives. In those cases I recommend an exercise that you may find useful: Make three lists. On the first, write down all the things that you are naturally good at. On the second, all the things that you enjoy. And on the third, all the things that are meaningful to you. Don't hold back or edit your responses; just write what comes to mind. Now, look for a theme that comes up in all three lists - that's an indicator of your true purpose. An immediate answer may not appear, but you will be pointed in a direction. We are energized when we do something we enjoy, excel at, and that is meaningful. 2. If your work environment is truly toxic to your mental and physical health, you ought to consider leaving. If you decide to stay, though, and want to be satisfied at your work, you must truly commit to your job, and to the success of your peers, co-workers, and your company. Once you do this you will naturally find ways to contribute, and will suddenly discover that you are not a helpless victim, but are a crucial and valued member of an interdependent community. This is not a Pollyanna, unrealistic vision, but is exactly how successful, energetic people approach their jobs. 3. In order to feel satisfied at work it is crucial that we live balanced lives. Plan meaningful time with your family, exercise regularly, find community activities that involve you in the needs of others, and explore hobbies that allow for creative release. Most of us have much more available time than we think, but we often squander this time watching TV, or in some other activity that we think will bring relaxation, but that actually drains us even further. Finding balance is about commitment and discipline. 4. Once you implement the first three recommendations with positive intention, you will suddenly discover that your attitudes have changed. You will lighten up and have more energy. You feel more free, engaged, relaxed, optimistic, and grateful, because you will have discovered possibilities for your job and your life that had been hidden under the cover of limiting, negative attitudes. I suspected that one or more of these reasons applied to the young man's situation, and wished him the strength and courage to implement lasting changes that will transform how he views his job, himself, others, and the purpose for his life. I also shared a quick thought with him about "spirituality". We may think of spirituality as naively idealistic, or something reserved for special times and activities, but "spirituality" is, essentially, the experience of a transformative connection. In other words, we are "spiritual" when we connect deeply with ourselves, others, and the Divine, in a way that strips away our defensive fronts, revealing our true selves. We have all had these experiences - in the beauty of nature, at the birth of a child, when we commit to love, care for another, or in the moments of creative "flow" - and spiritual practices are developed to help train us to make these connections in a regular, deliberate way. In this way, the recommendations above are all spiritual practices designed to help us find more peace, purpose, and fulfillment in everything that we do.
 
Princess Diana Remembered 12 Years Later: See Her Most Stylish Moments (PHOTOS) Top
Princess Diana, who along with companion Dodi Al-Fayed lost her life in a fatal car accident in Paris 12 years ago today, was a faithful follower of fashion and a worldwide style icon. Here are just a few looks that have stood the test of time. Share your memories of Princess Diana in the comments section below. Follow HuffPost Style on Twitter and become a fan of HuffPost Style on Facebook ! More on Photo Galleries
 
Elizabeth Donoghue: Good Grieving Top
My 85-year-old mother died of cancer in June. She was a great mother and I was always close to her. So were my six brothers and sisters. A realization came over me as she died: despite working hard to be the most special of her children, in the end, I was one of her seven equally special children. What a bummer realization. It's been humbling and has made me grow up a bit and that is good. Now that my "favorite child" balloon has burst, my grief has shifted to a more general feeling that I am rudderless. Remarks such as "it is good she is not suffering any more," leave me blank. I see nothing positive about death. At square one, I ask: why do people have to die? Where do they go when they die? On beautiful days I peek up and wonder: does she now live in a puffy cloud? Was there a buzz when Ted Kennedy arrived? I imagine what she would do to help me with this grief. Pretending I am her, I do the following, and it helps: 1. I tend to my basic needs in a more dedicated way. I get at least one more hour of sleep a night. This has been a remarkable help. If I sleep more, I do not get colds; I'm less cranky and have more energy. I've had some astonishingly bad dreams, but when I do, I accept that I am "processing" her death and it is a deeply disturbing thing to lose your mother, especially one you loved so much. I eat well; we cook at home and don't miss meals. When I am away from home, I stop when I'm hungry and eat. I exercise -- something I had let slide to spend more time with her in her last months. Some days I crave swimming to be submerged in womb-like water. Other days, I ride my bike because I love the freedom and playfulness of hopping on your bike and going where the road takes you. One night last week I rode to Randall's Island for one son's football practice, then to Asphalt Green for another son's basketball game. It was fun and kid-like and healing. 2. I actively escape by watching TV for at least one hour a day. My favorite escape is General Hospital on Soap Net. I watch it every night and no one is allowed to interrupt me with questions until the commercials come on. It allows me to suspend sadness as I focus on shifting familial loyalties and shimmering lip gloss. I love Diane, the lawyer, and her relationship with her client/friend Alexis, the former District Attorney, who resigned last week after pleading guilty to the hit and run which left her ex-husband Sonny's child (with Claudia) dead, but which was (maybe) caused by her and Sonny's daughter, Kristina, who has an abusive boyfriend. I have watched General Hospital since high school. My sisters and I often rushed home to see it at 3 pm. Sometimes my mother even paused to watch, en route to loading more laundry. I remember my mother's repeated assessment of Nurse Jesse: "That Jesse is so 'desperate' looking." Interesting choice of words, I thought (middle aged Nurse Jesse married young, handsome Phil.) To enhance my hour of escape, I watch General Hospital in the EZ Boy recliner we bought for my mother when she stayed with us last year. (I've learned that EZ Boy recliners are the grown up equivalent of a child's stroller: You don't have to move in them, they fully support your body and are easy to nap in.) 3. I actively retreat by reading SoapOpera Digest and the tabloids. To keep the magic alive, I do not read too much about the real lives of the actors on General Hospital but I do read about what will happen on the show. The tabloids have always provided a great escape for me, especially on air planes, and I like to keep current. 4. I don't force myself to do anything, emotionally, regarding grief. I ignore all advice like, "it takes a year". 5. I try to honor my mother by my actions. She left her children a note. It says "help each other always." In her honor, I try to be there for my family more than ever. They are there for me, more than ever. And kudos to them, they never call me when General Hospital is on. More on Death & Dying
 

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